Meet Dewi, India's AI Diplomat
The Indian Embassy in Jakarta has launched an artificial intelligence-powered avatar named 'Dewi' to serve as a primary source of information and updates. Launched auspiciously during the Navaratri and Durga Puja festivities, Dewi is designed to engage
with both Indonesians and the Indian diaspora. The AI will provide information on a wide range of topics including Indian culture, travel and tourism, scholarship opportunities, business and investment avenues, and consular updates. The avatar, which will communicate in both English and Bahasa Indonesia, aims to make information about the India-Indonesia partnership more accessible and foster a stronger connection between the peoples of the two nations.
A Name Rooted in Shared Heritage
The choice of the name 'Dewi' is deeply symbolic. In Indonesian, 'Dewi' means goddess and is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Devi', reflecting the deep-seated cultural and linguistic ties between India and Indonesia. This shared heritage, stemming from centuries of trade, migration, and the influence of Hindu-Buddhist traditions in the archipelago, provides a powerful foundation for soft power diplomacy. By choosing a name that resonates in both cultures, the initiative cleverly bridges the ancient and the modern, using a 21st-century tool to highlight a centuries-old connection. This gesture underscores a relationship built not just on strategic interests but also on a unique civilisational synergy.
Digital Diplomacy and the Act East Policy
The Dewi initiative is a clear example of India’s evolving digital diplomacy and a practical application of its 'Act East' Policy. Launched in 2014, the Act East Policy marked a strategic shift to deepen engagement with Southeast Asian nations beyond just economics, focusing on connectivity, culture, and commerce. Digital tools like Dewi are becoming crucial components of this policy, offering new channels for public diplomacy that complement traditional government-to-government interactions. They enable direct engagement with the public, businesses, and youth, helping to shape narratives and foster goodwill. This move signals India's intent to use technology to make its foreign policy more dynamic and people-centric, especially in a region as digitally savvy as Southeast Asia.
Strengthening a Key Strategic Partnership
Indonesia is a cornerstone of India's engagement with ASEAN and the broader Indo-Pacific. The country is home to a significant Indian diaspora, with approximately 130,000 Persons of Indian Origin and 15,000 Non-Resident Indians. As two of the world's largest democracies and emerging economies, the nations share common interests in maritime security, regional stability, and economic growth. In recent years, the partnership has been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with collaboration deepening in defence, trade, and technology. High-level visits and significant agreements, including on defence procurement, have marked a new momentum in the relationship. Initiatives like Dewi serve to support this high-level engagement by building broader awareness and strengthening people-to-people connections, which are the bedrock of any sustainable strategic alliance.
