External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday underscored the pivotal role of culture, innovation, and technology in realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Speaking on the second day of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, he also emphasized the need to democratize the global system by amplifying diverse traditions, heritages, ideas, and creative expressions.
Highlighting the cultural dimension of change, Jaishankar said, “The world is intrinsically and essentially diverse. Pluralism has historically been suppressed by colonialism and by the dominance of major powers. To truly democratize the international system, we must give voice to our traditions, heritage, ideas, and creativity. The most effective way to achieve this is through the power of technology. Innovation is the key to the leapfrogging that will lead us to Viksit Bharat by 2047.”
He further stressed the need for adaptive mindsets and flexible frameworks to build a globally competitive workforce and workplace. “Talent and tasks are no longer stationary. Enhanced mobility fosters greater creativity. In an age of information overload, the challenge is to capture attention. It is crucial that young talent is adequately prepared, especially through skill diffusion,” he noted.
Addressing the ethical concerns of emerging technologies, Dr. Jaishankar pointed out the growing relevance of responsible innovation. “Every technological advancement brings its own set of challenges, and AI is no exception. As the political landscape contends with questions of authenticity, businesses must navigate evolving intellectual property concerns. Responsible technology use—especially reducing bias, democratising content, and upholding ethics—will be central to the discourse.”
About WAVES 2025
WAVES 2025 is India’s first-of-its-kind international summit dedicated to the audio-visual and entertainment sectors. The four-day event, running from May 1 to May 4, brings together over 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300 companies, and 350 startups. Covering the entire media and entertainment ecosystem—from film, OTT, and broadcasting to AVGC-XR, AI, comics, and more—WAVES fosters a dynamic cross-sectoral network to shape the future of storytelling and innovation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated WAVES 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, describing it as a historic milestone in India’s emergence as a global creative powerhouse.
Held under the theme “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries,” the four-day summit brings together more than 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300 companies, and 350 startups.
Running from May 1 to 4, WAVES 2025 covers the entire media and entertainment spectrum — including film, OTT, broadcasting, AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality), AI, and more.
