The three-day Ninth Global Technology Summit (GTS) 2025, organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and Carnegie India from April 10 – April 12 in Delhi, showcased a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The event stood out not just for its focus on global tech developments but also for the eco-conscious planning that went into every phase of the summit.
The Summit’s theme, Sambhavna—meaning “possibilities” in Hindi— focused on the transformative potential of critical and emerging technologies to drive economic growth while shaping international relations, security frameworks, and global governance. The Summit also explored the potential of technology partnerships to unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth. It also embodied a broader vision of building a resilient digital ecosystem that enhances India’s status as a global tech leader while ensuring that technological advancements help bridge societal divides, creating a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
Carnegie India partnered with The GenC to implement a phase-wise ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) action model. This model was designed to reduce the summit’s environmental impact and promote a new culture of responsible event management. From the beginning, the GTS team made conscious choices to prioritise sustainability.
As per the organisers, the event used reusable food and beverage cutlery across the venue, while repurposed wood was used in event fabrication. Even the waste management systems were designed with a circular approach, ensuring minimum waste and maximum recycling. The organisers also focused on involving delegates in these efforts. Real-time tracking of the event’s carbon footprint was displayed, helping visitors understand the environmental impact of their participation.
There were also interactive discussions and activities to raise awareness and encourage accountability among attendees. It marked a crucial event in India’s global dialogue on geo-technology but also saw the summit participants focusing on global tech developments with eco-conscious planning going into every phase of the summit.
GTS 2025 has not only reduced its environmental footprint but also created a model for how future events in India can be planned and executed sustainably. It marked a step forward in merging technology with environmental care, proving that innovation and responsibility can go hand-in-hand.
“What we saw in many ways as the trade story has also been the tech story. And it had its dramatic moments. DeepSeek was one. But I would argue that the changes impelled by China are as consequential as the shifts in the American position. In fact, one is, to some extent, influenced by the other,” says External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar
Change in the US Approach and its Consequences
This premier dialogue on geo-technology focused on the role of emerging technologies in fostering inclusive growth, strengthening digital governance of enhancing global cooperation.
Speaking at the summit, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said, “Nobody would really disagree with this is that the US has fundamentally changed its approach to engaging the world and it has consequences across every domain. But the tech consequences, I believe, would be particularly profound and it will be profound not just because the US is the largest economy, the main driver, in a way, of global tech advancements but also because it’s very clear that tech has a big role in making America great again. So, there is a connection between MAGA and tech, which perhaps was not so clear between 2016 and 2020.”
Jaishankar said the advancement of China has been more of an unfolding rather than dramatic event. And that is the advancement of China. “What we saw in many ways as the trade story has also been the tech story. And it had its dramatic moments. DeepSeek was one. But I would argue that the changes impelled by China are as consequential as the shifts in the American position. In fact, one is, to some extent, influenced by the other,” he said.
Turning to Europe, he said, “Five years ago, I think Europe probably had the best geopolitical situation. It had worked out the ideal triangulation between the United States, Russia and China. Today, every side of that triangle is under stress. And perhaps there’s a lesson in it, sometimes very intricate hedging. From the best of all worlds, you can end up as the most difficult of all worlds.”
Techno-nationalism of United States
A significant portion of the summit focused on fostering collaboration among countries in the Global South, exploring how emerging technologies can be leveraged to address common challenges.
Thorsten Benner, Co-Founder and Director, Global Public Policy Institute, said Europe must turn its predicament to Sambhavna because the modern world poses no other alternative to them.
Speaking at the summit, Ashley J Tellis, Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and Senior Fellow Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said the US Administration led by President Donald Trump is very unpredictable. He said the US has something called techno-nationalism wherein it wants to bring back what it thinks is ‘lost’.
Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal dismissed concerns about external pressure on India’s trade decisions and said, “India being in a position of such opportunity is in itself very exciting. While our exports today form a relatively small share of our GDP, our strong domestic market and aspirational youth are ready to take Indian industry global”
At an instinctive level, the GTS also serves a mission to sensitise different nationalities, governments, and markets to a variety of ways in which geopolitics shapes technological change between the global and the local. These effects can make or break futures, at least for a specific period of time, and inform the reorientation of national priorities, jettison sovereign alternatives, and potentially break the market.
Opportunities to reshape global trade
In his keynote address, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal highlighted the opportunities that lie ahead for India in reshaping global trade, especially with trusted partners such as the United States.
Goyal called India the fastest-growing large economy in the world and said, “There is a delta of opportunity that India offers. In the next two to two-and-a-half decades, India will grow eight times, supported by the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. This creates a massive domestic demand and offers the benefits of scale that are being recognised globally.”
He shared that in the last two years alone, at least eight high-level delegations have visited India, signaling the world’s growing interest in forging stronger trade relationships with the country.
The minister underscored that India’s current tariff protection measures are directed mainly at non-market economies that engage in unfair trade practices. “India is well-positioned to engage in bilateral partnerships with countries that value reciprocity, trust, and fair play,” he said.
Dismissing concerns about external pressure on India’s trade decisions, Goyal said, “There is no pressure. India being in a position of such opportunity is in itself very exciting. While our exports today form a relatively small share of our GDP, our strong domestic market and aspirational youth are ready to take Indian industry global.”
On China, Goyal affirmed, “India will always put its interests first. As of now, there is little FDI from China, and historically too, Chinese investments have been minimal. Our efforts are focused on integrating with developed economies that adhere to honest business practices.” He reiterated that India’s decision not to join the RCEP in 2019 has been vindicated by current global trends.
India remains committed to multilateralism, he added. However, reforms at the WTO are essential. Goyal cited the need to reassess the definition of ‘developing countries’ and called for clarity on e-commerce rules, agriculture decisions, and fisheries negotiations. “Unless those who have caused overfishing are willing to scale down, emerging economies will never get a fair chance,” he noted.
The GTS Young Ambassadors programme, part of the summit, sought to amplify the voices of the next generation in discussions on digital futures, responsible AI, and global tech norms. It gave an opportunity to students and young professionals from India with a platform to directly contribute to policy conversations during the summit
Voices of the next generation
The GTS Young Ambassadors programme, part of the Global Technology Summit 2025, sought to amplify the voices of the next generation in discussions on digital futures, responsible AI, and global tech norms. It gave an opportunity to students and young professionals from India with a platform to directly contribute to policy conversations during the summit.
The programme for the youth focused on a wide range of critical topics, which included emerging technologies, AI governance, digital public infrastructure, data protection, cybersecurity, space security, and global tech collaboration.
The summit also saw the direct engagement of participants in policy discussions and conversations with experts, policymakers, and industry leaders. The programme was to create a space where young people can share their perspectives and ideas on critical issues in the tech world.
The programme was integrated into the Global Technology Summit 2025, which provided a platform for global discussions and networking.
– The writer is a senior journalist and media consultant. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda.
