Statement by India during the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises (WG’s report on ‘Artificial intelligence procurement and deployment: ensuring alignment with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights’) at the 59th session of the Human Rights Council (16 June – 9 July 2025), delivered by Mr. Gaurav Kumar Thakur, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 19 June 2025
We have taken note of the Working Group’s report.
The report rightly addresses the interplay of AI, human rights, and responsible business conduct. We agree with the report’s assessment that the UNGPs should be embedded in evolving global AI practices.
AI presents both opportunities and challenges, reshaping our polity, economy, security, and society. As we speak, AI is literally writing the code for this century—developed and deployed at unprecedented speed. Therefore, AI governance must balance risks with innovation, ensuring AI serves the global good.
My delegation believes in open-source AI systems that enhance trust and transparency; support quality data sets free from biases; and focuses on democratization and people-centric applications. Addressing cybersecurity, disinformation, and deep fakes is vital, as is rooting technology in local ecosystems.
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, upholds individual data rights while supporting innovation. Our Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework is considered one of the most comprehensive ESG regimes globally.
It is surprising, therefore, that rather than examining India’s pilot initiatives on AI, the report makes an unverified claim attributing to a ‘source’, that AI is deployed to redflag human rights defenders in India. Let me clarify that India’s constitutional framework and prevailing laws, including the data protection law provide robust protections and judicial recourse for privacy breaches.
Mr. President
We reject such unfounded insinuations and urge evidence-based analysis in future assessment, which is essential to uphold the credibility of this important mandate.
India remains committed to inclusive, accessible AI for sustainable development.
Thank you.
