New Delhi Declaration: The Competition Behind Technical Cooperation Among 86 Countries

On February 18-19, 2026, the Global AI Impact Summit was held at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre in New Delhi, India. Representatives from 86 countries and two international organizations signed the New Delhi Declaration. Guided by the Sanskrit principle सर्वजन हिताय, सर्वजन सुखाय (meaning "for the welfare of all, for the happiness of all"), this document aims to promote global AI cooperation and enable more regions to benefit from technological development. During the 50,000-person exhibition at the summit, India's Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced that the conference attracted over 250 billion USD in infrastructure investment commitments. Beneath the surface of cooperation, major technological powers such as China, the United States, and Europe continue to advance their respective strategies in the field of AI governance.

The Seven Pillars Framework and India's Role

The manifesto proposes a seven-pillar framework named Chakras (meaning wheels), covering human capital, equitable access, trust and safety, energy efficiency, scientific advancement, democratization of resources, and economic growth aligned with social welfare. Vaishnau stated on February 21 that major economies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Denmark, and Germany have all signed. Indian officials view this as an endorsement of their AI vision.

India, leveraging its identity as a representative of the Global South and an emerging digital nation, is shaping an AI narrative distinct from the West's risk-first approach or China's development-first emphasis. Two case studies showcased at the summit illustrate this perspective: the AI livestock management assistant developed by the Amul Cooperative in Gujarat, and the project utilizing AI to digitize and translate the ancient medical text, the *Sushruta Samhita*. The former focuses on agricultural modernization, while the latter connects to cultural heritage. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated in his radio address on February 22, these demonstrations highlight for the international community the potential of integrating AI with local needs. India's strategy is to shift AI governance from abstract discussions to tangible societal applications.

Additionally, India aims to reshape the current AI resource allocation, which is dominated by a few tech giants and developed countries, through initiatives such as resource democratization and the Global AI Impact Commons. The "Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI" and the Trusted AI Commons, mentioned by Vaishnaw, are designed to lower the technological barriers for countries lacking computing infrastructure. This approach holds appeal for many small and medium-sized nations.

The political considerations behind the list of signatory countries.

Eighty-six signatories include the United States, China, European Union countries, and numerous nations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Major powers, which have long held diverging views on AI governance, have rarely come together to sign a principled declaration. This reflects widespread concern among nations regarding the impact of AI technology—even if binding rules cannot be established immediately, there is a need to build a foundational dialogue platform to avoid a governance vacuum.

But the consensus is not solid. The declaration is voluntary and not legally binding. Each party's understanding and emphasis on the terms inevitably differ: the United States and its allies may focus more on trust and security, emphasizing the prevention of malicious use and data protection; China may stress equitable access and scientific development, opposing technological blockades; while the European Union likely hopes its risk regulatory framework from the *Artificial Intelligence Act* gains international resonance.

As the host, India successfully made the summit an occasion acceptable to all parties. However, specific implementation—such as who will lead the global AI impact commons and how resources will be allocated—will become the focus of debate in the next phase. During the summit, executives from companies such as Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic were all present, reminding people that private tech giants remain the primary holders of AI capabilities, and national agreements ultimately need to align with the industry.

Investment Commitments and Practical Challenges

One concrete outcome of the summit is the commitment of over $250 billion in infrastructure investments, along with approximately $20 billion in venture capital intentions. These funds are planned to be used for building AI computing centers, data platforms, and research and development networks in developing countries. For example, the UAE announced that it will deploy an 8-exaflop sovereign AI supercomputer in India. Such projects represent both economic cooperation and competition in digital infrastructure standards.

However, the vision of universal benefit faces practical difficulties. The declaration lists energy efficiency as a separate pillar, directly addressing the substantial energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with AI training. The cost of building green AI infrastructure is higher. Meanwhile, the human capital pillar requires long-term reforms in national education systems, making it difficult to achieve significant results in the short term.

Overall, the Delhi Declaration signifies a global shift in AI governance from principle discussions to attempts at establishing concrete cooperative frameworks. By integrating technology governance with development agendas and cultural narratives, India has secured agenda-setting power for itself. However, the implementation of the declaration depends on whether effective institutions, funding, and oversight mechanisms can be established subsequently, as well as whether major powers can compromise on benefit distribution. The development of AI technology will not wait for international negotiations; Delhi is merely the starting point. The real test lies in whether these 86 countries can translate consensus on paper into tangible outcomes that are genuinely felt by people worldwide, especially vulnerable groups.