Here we go again. Another week, another high-stakes meeting where people in expensive suits gather to decide how the rest of us should live. This time, the circus touched down for the **India AI Summit 2026**. The topic? **Artificial Intelligence**. You know, that computer magic supposed to cure diseases but will likely just end up automating your job and selling your data to the highest bidder.

The search-friendly headline is that India is carving out a "middle way" in the escalating **US vs China AI war**, positioning itself as the "moral voice" for the **Global South**. Give me a break. Let’s sit down and look at the **geopolitics of AI** without the PR filter. Because if you believe these politicians are acting out of morality, I have a bridge to sell you.

First, look at the playground. On one side, you have the United States. Their version of AI is all about **Silicon Valley innovation** and ensuring they own the code that runs your life. On the other side, you have China. They don't care about making you feel good; they care about control and surveillance. The U.S. and China are like two divorced parents fighting over custody of the future.

Now, enter India. By hosting this summit, they claim to be protecting smaller nations. Do not fall for it. This isn't charity; it is leverage. India is playing a numbers game to become the leader of the third group. It is about using the little guy as a stepping stool to reach the cookie jar on the top shelf.

Crucially, they are pushing **Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)**. That sounds boring, right? That is the point. It effectively means exporting government-run tech systems—payment apps, ID cards, data tracking—to other countries. It is a business deal disguised as a peace mission. They are telling the world, "Don't buy from the Americans (greedy) or the Chinese (scary). Buy from us."

But here is the truth: there are no good guys in **global tech policy**. India just wants a seat at the head of the table. This "middle path" is a grift to take investment from both sides while the technology keeps getting stronger. Whether the boss is in Washington, Beijing, or New Delhi, the result for the average person is the same: we get watched, analyzed, and monetized.

<h3>References & Fact-Check</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Original Event Source:</strong> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/world/asia/ai-summit-india-foreign-policy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">At A.I. Summit, India Tries to Find a Way Between the U.S. and China</a> (New York Times, Feb 21, 2026).</li> <li><strong>Context:</strong> The article discusses India's strategic positioning to offer an alternative to U.S. private-sector dominance and Chinese state-surveillance models through the export of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).</li> </ul>