Estonia President Exclusive | India Brings Scale, We Bring Trust, Structured Cooperation Next Step

Last Updated:February 23, 2026, 11:35 IST

Alar Karis shared his most memorable moment in India and outlined why closer economic integration with Delhi is essential risk management in a fragmented global economy

As India pushes to position itself at the centre of the global artificial intelligence conversation, the AI Impact Summit, held in New Delhi from February 16 to 21, brought together political leaders and policymakers from across continents. From Europe to Latin America and Central Asia, the gathering reflected growing international interest in India’s digital public infrastructure, its approach to AI governance, and the scale at which it is deploying technology to drive growth and inclusion.

Estonia was among the countries closely watching India’s AI journey. Known globally for its e-governance model and digital-first statecraft, Estonia’s participation underscored how mid-sized and smaller economies see value in India’s ambition, scale and regulatory thinking as AI adoption accelerates worldwide.

On the sidelines of the summit, CNN-News18 spoke exclusively with Alar Karis, who reflected on the scope for deeper India–Estonia cooperation on AI and digital public infrastructure, the risks posed by unchecked AI adoption, and why closer EU–India economic integration matters for smaller European economies. He also shared his personal impressions of India’s confidence and ambition as it seeks not just to adapt to the digital age, but to actively shape it.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Estonia is a global leader in digital governance. What concrete lessons can India adopt as it scales AI across public services?

Alar Karis: Start with architecture, not applications. Secure digital identity, interoperable data exchange, and a clear legal framework must come first. AI should be built on trusted digital infrastructure, not used to compensate for its absence. Scale follows trust, and trust drives adoption. Digitalising public services is not about putting bureaucracy online. It is about redesigning the state to be simpler, faster, and citizen-centric. AI runs on clean, structured data, not paper trails. If outdated processes remain intact, technology will only digitise inefficiency rather than eliminate it.

Q: Do you see scope for a structured India–Estonia partnership on AI regulation and digital public infrastructure beyond pilot projects?

Alar Karis: Yes. Both India and Estonia are making deep investments in digital transformation and see trusted institutions and technological capability as strategic assets. Estonia brings decades of experience in secure, interoperable e-governance, while India brings unmatched scale, engineering depth and ambition.

The next step now is to move beyond pilot projects to structured cooperation. That means jointly shaping standards, building regulatory sandboxes and creating interoperable digital public infrastructure. This partnership should be grounded in mutual learning, not one-way knowledge transfer, with both sides shaping how responsible AI governance evolves globally.

Q: What risks worry you most as AI adoption accelerates globally: technological misuse, regulatory lag, or strategic rivalry between major powers?

Alar Karis: These risks are deeply interconnected. Misuse thrives where regulation falls behind, and strategic rivalry between major powers only accelerates rapid deployment and global fragmentation.

The deeper risk, however, is the erosion of human agency. AI must remain accountable to democratic institutions and anchored in human judgment. When technology begins shaping political and social outcomes without meaningful oversight, the danger is no longer isolated. It becomes systemic.

Q: The EU–India trade deal has been described as the “mother of all deals." As an EU member, how does Estonia view its strategic value, and what tangible gains do you expect for smaller European economies from deeper economic integration with India?

Alar Karis: For a small economy like Estonia, openness is not a choice. It is a necessity. Deeper EU–India trade integration strengthens supply chains, widens market access and reduces long-term dependency risks in an increasingly uncertain global economy.

Smaller European economies benefit most from trade that is rules-based, predictable and stable. From Estonia’s perspective, closer economic integration with India is not symbolic diplomacy. It is practical risk management in a fragmented world economy.

Q: On a personal note, beyond formal meetings and policy discussions, what has been your most memorable moment from your visit to India — and what message or impression of India will you carry back to Estonia?

Alar Karis: India is more than a thousand times larger than Estonia in population, yet we share meaningful common ground. One of the strongest links is a shared belief in future skills, particularly digital competence and technological capability, areas where Estonia has experience to contribute.

What stayed with me most was not a single meeting, but the scale of ambition and the confidence visible across sectors. I return to Estonia with the impression of a country that is not merely adjusting to the digital age, but consciously shaping its own future.

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