Government sources said India is actively supporting the development of homegrown artificial intelligence models to build long-term technological self-reliance. The initiative comes at a time when artificial intelligence is becoming a key driver of national security, digital governance, industrial innovation, and economic growth.
The discussions between India and the United States have gained importance as Washington evaluates policies governing the international availability of advanced artificial intelligence systems. Speaking on the matter, Helberg said these discussions involve highly sensitive national security considerations.
"These are very sensitive national security discussions… our intention is very much to continue a gradual measured approach… in a way that is safe both for ourselves and our Indian counterparts," Helberg said.
One of India's primary concerns is ensuring uninterrupted access to frontier artificial intelligence technologies developed by leading global companies. Electronics and Information Technology Secretary S. Krishnan said India had sought clarity from the United States regarding the long-term availability of advanced artificial intelligence models, including Anthropic’s Claude.
Krishnan said India requires certainty because sudden restrictions or disruptions could affect projects and systems that depend on such technologies.
"We sought an understanding of how exactly the US is looking at this particular aspect… because if it is something which is to be used and made available, we can’t have abrupt cut-offs," Krishnan said.
The discussions come as India rapidly expands the adoption of artificial intelligence across government departments, industry, and digital public infrastructure. At the same time, the country is investing heavily in domestic capabilities across artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, quantum technologies, and high-performance computing to strengthen technological resilience and reduce external dependence.
The issue has gained additional significance following export controls announced by the United States Commerce Department last month, requiring Anthropic to restrict access to its latest artificial intelligence models for certain foreign nationals. The policy has raised concerns about the long-term availability of advanced artificial intelligence technologies for international users, reinforcing India's push to develop indigenous capabilities while seeking reliable access to critical global innovations.
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