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1. Zelenskyy and Trump meeting: When the bully wins
The meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked intense debate, marking a significant shift in diplomatic tone and global power dynamics. Zelenskyy, who has long been portrayed as the resilient leader standing against Russian aggression, found himself in a different kind of battle—this time, not with Vladimir Putin, but with Trump and his administration.
A Clash of Narratives
At the press conference, Trump’s focus was on stopping the war and questioning past U.S. policies, while Zelenskyy reiterated his stance on Russia’s aggression and Putin’s role as a war criminal. Trump, in contrast, displayed his well-documented admiration for Putin and laid the blame for Ukraine’s crisis on his predecessor’s “incompetence.” The event quickly escalated into a power struggle rather than a diplomatic discussion.
Tensions peaked when Zelenskyy raised concerns about Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, prompting U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to rebuke him for criticizing an administration that was actively supporting Ukraine. The moment exposed the uncomfortable reality of Ukraine’s reliance on American aid—Trump bluntly reminded Zelenskyy that Ukraine was not “winning” and should be more “thankful.”
The Spectacle of Diplomacy
Diplomatic engagements are usually choreographed affairs, but this press conference underscored the dangers of turning international diplomacy into a reality show. Trump’s infamous remark, “This is going to be great television,” encapsulated how politics is increasingly driven by spectacle rather than substance. In an era dominated by media narratives, leaders are forced to perform for their audiences rather than engage in meaningful policymaking.
This shift is particularly evident in Zelenskyy’s trajectory. His rise from a comedian to a wartime president has been shaped by his ability to communicate effectively with Western audiences. However, as the political winds shift, so does the script. Trump’s America appears less interested in playing the lead role in Ukraine’s defense, and Europe’s support, while vocal, lacks the military weight to sustain Ukraine’s position without U.S. backing.
A New Global Order?
The humiliation Zelenskyy faced at the hands of Trump and Vance highlights a broader shift in global politics. China, for example, takes a different approach—offering economic partnerships without ideological strings attached. While Western powers have historically supported leaders like Zelenskyy to counter strategic rivals, history suggests that such backing often comes with an expiration date.
Ultimately, Trump’s blunt approach reveals an uncomfortable truth—Zelenskyy’s resistance narrative, once celebrated, may no longer hold the same weight in shifting geopolitical calculations. The meeting signaled that, in this new phase of global politics, traditional alliances may be tested, and leaders who once thrived on Western support might find themselves adapting to a different reality.
2. On AI, the big leap India needs
The era of incremental progress is over. With nations fiercely competing to dominate the AI ecosystem, India cannot afford to be a mere participant—it must lead the disruption. If India aspires to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047, artificial intelligence (AI) must be at the core of this transformation.
Global AI Landscape: A Paradigm Shift
Recent developments have reshaped conventional wisdom about AI dominance. The rise of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI start-up, has challenged established players with its open-source and free AI model, DeepSeek-R1, matching the capabilities of OpenAI’s GPT-4. This signals that AI supremacy isn’t just about resources but about speed, efficiency, and strategic intent.
The AI Action Summit in Paris, where leaders from nearly 100 nations gathered, reinforced that growth must take precedence over excessive regulation. France’s €109 billion AI investment plan and the EU’s shift towards relaxed regulations highlight the global race for AI leadership. India’s advocacy for a human-centric AI approach, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also gained significant traction, ensuring that AI development aligns with economic, environmental, and social well-being.
Lessons from China: Engineering Excellence & Strategic Independence
China’s AI progress underscores the importance of engineering efficiency and strategic resilience. Facing export controls, Chinese AI firms have developed innovative techniques, such as:
(i) Pure Reinforcement Learning – Enabling AI models to refine themselves through self-play.
(ii) Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) Architecture – Enhancing efficiency by activating only a fraction of AI parameters per task.
(iii) Multi-Head Latent Attention – Improving data processing and handling multiple input aspects simultaneously.
(iv) Model Distillation – Transferring knowledge from large models to smaller, adaptable ones.
Additionally, China’s transition from NVIDIA’s proprietary CUDA to PTX reflects a strategic push for AI self-reliance, reducing dependence on Western technology. This shift demonstrates that true disruptors will be those who master both research innovation and cost-effective AI engineering.
The US Response & AI Geopolitics
Recognizing AI’s role in global influence, the US has intensified its AI dominance strategy. President Biden’s directives restricting the export of GPUs and prioritizing clean energy for AI data centers highlight AI’s strategic importance. Even under the Trump administration, these measures remain intact. Meanwhile, Vice President Vance has reaffirmed the US’s commitment to AI leadership in chips, software, and regulations.
The AI race is no longer just about innovation; it’s a battle for control. Nations leading in AI will dictate future global norms, while those lagging behind risk dependency and vulnerability.
India’s AI Imperative: Leading the Disruption
India stands at a critical juncture. To realize Viksit Bharat 2047, AI must become a pillar of economic transformation. Our success depends on three non-negotiable imperatives:
A. World-Class AI Talent – India must nurture top-tier AI researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs to drive global competitiveness.
B. Cutting-Edge R&D & Innovation – India must move beyond being a consumer of AI to become a creator of breakthrough technologies.
C. Human-Centric AI Approach – AI development should align with societal progress, economic growth, and India’s strategic interests.
As Prime Minister Modi aptly stated at the AI Action Summit, “As AI writes the code for humanity, we must hold the key to shaping its future responsibly.”
Conclusion
The world is dividing into two categories: disruptors and disruptees. The pressing question is—which side will India be on? The answer will determine whether India merely follows the AI revolution or leads it towards a transformative future.
Disclaimer:
This analysis is based on the editorial content published in Indian Express and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The views, opinions, and interpretations expressed herein are those of the author of original article. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original article for complete context and to exercise their own judgment while interpreting the analysis. The analysis does not constitute professional advice or endorsement of any political, economic, or social perspective.
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