Meet Dewi: A Digital Diplomat
On October 13, 2026, the Indian Embassy in Jakarta unveiled 'Dewi', an artificial intelligence-powered avatar designed to be the new public face of its digital communications. The name itself is a masterstroke of cultural diplomacy. 'Dewi' is derived
from the Sanskrit word 'Devi', meaning goddess, and is also a common and meaningful name in Indonesia, perfectly encapsulating the shared cultural heritage between the two nations. The launch was timed to coincide with the auspicious start of the Navratri and Durga Puja festivals, further strengthening this cultural connection. Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty introduced Dewi as a guide for the embassy's followers, ready to provide a host of information through its social media channels.
What Will Dewi Do?
Dewi is not just a digital figurehead; she is a functional tool designed to make information about India more accessible and engaging. Her primary role is to disseminate information across a wide range of topics. This includes providing updates on Indian culture and heritage, promoting travel and tourism opportunities, and sharing details about scholarships for Indonesian students. Furthermore, Dewi will be a resource for business and investment prospects, helping to foster economic ties. Crucially, she will also deliver important consular service updates for the approximately 1,30,000 Persons of Indian Origin and 15,000 Non-Resident Indians living in Indonesia. By using this AI-driven approach, the embassy aims to move beyond conventional text-based announcements and connect with a broader, tech-savvy audience.
The Strategy Behind the Avatar
The introduction of Dewi is a clear reflection of India's broader foreign policy objectives and its growing emphasis on technology as a diplomatic tool. This initiative is driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for leveraging AI to improve public service delivery and governance. It's part of a global trend where Indian missions are increasingly using digital platforms to enhance their outreach. For instance, the Indian Consulate in Munich launched a similar AI avatar named 'Sarathi' to assist with consular queries, while chatbots are in use at missions in Dubai and Hungary. This strategy recognizes that in an increasingly digital world, diplomacy cannot be confined to official statements and closed-door meetings. It must be dynamic, accessible, and capable of building narratives that resonate with the public.
Strengthening a Key Partnership
The choice of Jakarta for this initiative is highly significant. Indonesia is a vital partner for India, being Southeast Asia's largest economy and a key player in ASEAN. The India-Indonesia relationship has been deepening, especially in the digital domain, with collaborations on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and payment systems like UPI. Dewi serves as a symbol of this modern, forward-looking partnership. By creating a communication tool that speaks to the local culture, the Indian embassy is making a concerted effort to strengthen people-to-people connections. This soft power approach complements the more formal strategic and economic aspects of the bilateral relationship, helping to build a foundation of mutual understanding and goodwill.
