NEW DELHI: The world is witnessing a seismic shift in power, not through weapons or economic sanctions, but through narratives, digital storytelling, and cultural diplomacy. At the heart of this transformation, India has positioned itself as a strategic force with the launch of WAVES 2025 (World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit)—a groundbreaking initiative that aims to redefine global media’s role in shaping international influence, economic balance, and ethical storytelling.
This landmark gathering, hosted in New Delhi, saw an unprecedented convergence of policymakers, industry titans, and global leaders. Union Minister for External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan, and over 100 ambassadors and high commissioners engaged in high-stakes discussions about the future of media as a tool for global cohesion and strategic soft power.
Media as the New Geopolitical Currency
As economic and military influence face increasing limitations in shaping global discourse, the next great power shift is happening in the realm of culture, media, and digital storytelling. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jaishankar framed the conversation around cultural rebalancing, a concept that recognizes media as an essential pillar of geopolitical power.
“The world is experiencing not just economic and political realignments but also a cultural rebalancing. The stories we tell, the content we consume, and the digital platforms we engage with will determine the future of international diplomacy and cooperation. WAVES 2025 is not just an industry summit—it is the foundation of a new global order where narratives shape nations,” he asserted.
This sentiment was echoed by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, who emphasized the technological and economic implications of India’s growing role in global media. “The fusion of creativity and technology is altering the landscape of media and entertainment. With AI-driven storytelling, immersive content, and globalized streaming, India is not just a participant but a leader in this transformation. WAVES 2025 will set the direction for this evolution,” he stated.
AI, Blockchain, and the Battle for Ethical Media
One of the most pressing discussions revolved around the unstoppable rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in media—its implications for content creation, intellectual property, and audience manipulation. With AI-generated news, deepfake technology, and algorithm-driven media consumption shaping public perception, WAVES 2025 is calling for a global ethical framework to safeguard truth, authenticity, and diversity in storytelling.
Beyond AI, blockchain-based media models are gaining momentum, offering transparent content distribution, copyright protection, and direct monetization for creators. Experts at the summit highlighted how decentralized platforms could challenge traditional media gatekeepers, providing independent journalists and filmmakers with a fairer playing field.
“We are at the threshold of an AI-powered media revolution, but without ethical safeguards, we risk losing control of our narratives to algorithms and misinformation. WAVES 2025 is India’s initiative to lead a responsible, innovation-driven media future that protects truth while embracing progress,” noted one of the keynote speakers.
From Bollywood to Globalwood: India’s Cultural Power Play
The event also marked a major strategic shift in India’s global media aspirations. Bollywood, traditionally seen as India’s soft power export, is now evolving into a global media ecosystem that goes beyond cinema—encompassing gaming, OTT platforms, metaverse storytelling, and international co-productions.
With WAVES 2025, India is actively inviting global studios, tech innovators, and policymakers to reimagine Mumbai not just as the capital of Indian cinema, but as the nerve center of a new global media hub—one that fuses Eastern storytelling traditions with cutting-edge digital media formats.
The signing of a historic MoU between the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the Government of Maharashtra underscored this ambition, setting the stage for major investments in digital media infrastructure, co-productions, and AI-integrated content creation.
“This is not just about taking Indian films global—it’s about creating a digital-first, borderless entertainment ecosystem where content flows seamlessly between cultures, languages, and geographies. WAVES 2025 is our gateway to a new era of global storytelling,” said an industry veteran.
The Battle Against Misinformation and Digital Colonialism
While media and entertainment open doors to innovation and unity, they also pose unprecedented challenges. The weaponization of misinformation, the dominance of a few global tech conglomerates over digital narratives, and the threat of digital colonialism were urgent topics at WAVES 2025.
As the digital economy grows, so does the risk of narrative monopolization by a handful of AI-driven media giants. The summit raised serious questions:
• Who controls the algorithms that decide what news we see?
• Can media truly remain free if it is governed by corporate and state interests?
• How can India and other emerging media powers challenge Western-dominated digital storytelling platforms?
The proposed solutions included international collaborations on AI regulations, cross-border fact-checking alliances, and a stronger push for indigenous digital ecosystems that can compete with Silicon Valley’s grip on global media.
The Road to Mumbai 2025: A Defining Moment for Global Media
As the conversations in New Delhi set the tone for a new era of media-led diplomacy and economic transformation, all eyes now turn to Mumbai, where the full-scale WAVES 2025 Summit will take place from May 1st to May 4th, 2025.
This summit is expected to draw an even more formidable gathering of media moguls, government officials, AI pioneers, and cultural thought leaders—solidifying India’s role as a media superpower with the ability to unify, innovate, and challenge the status quo.
“We are not just shaping the future of media; we are shaping the future of how the world sees itself. The stories we tell today will define the geopolitics of tomorrow. WAVES 2025 is not an event—it is the dawn of a new global order in media and culture,” concluded one of the panelists.
As the digital revolution accelerates, India’s proactive stance through WAVES 2025 signals a shift in global influence—one that is less about political borders and more about cultural dominance, narrative sovereignty, and the democratization of media power.
– Dr. Shahid Siddiqui; Follow via X @shahidsiddiqui
