India’s Digital India BHASHINI Division is using artificial intelligence to make international communication more inclusive, helping civil servants from different countries overcome language barriers during a capacity-building programme on urban service delivery in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.
The initiative, led by the Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) under Digital India Corporation (DIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), deployed its Shrutlekh platform to facilitate real-time multilingual communication during an international programme organised by the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG).
The Capacity Building Programme on Urban Service Delivery for Civil Servants of Multiple Countries is being conducted from October 12 to 23, 2026. Sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, the programme is part of India’s international administrative cooperation efforts under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.
Shrutlekh Enables Real-Time English-Spanish Translation
During the programme’s ice-breaking session, Shrutlekh supported two-way translation between English and Spanish, enabling participants to communicate more effectively despite differences in language.
The platform’s deployment demonstrated how speech-based artificial intelligence can help international delegates interact, exchange ideas and participate in discussions without allowing language differences to become a major obstacle.
The technology is intended to remain available throughout the programme, which concludes on October 23, subject to operational requirements. Its continued use could support communication during programme activities and help delegates engage more comfortably with one another.
The initiative highlights the growing role of multilingual AI tools in international training, public administration and cross-border knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Civil Servants From Nine Countries Participate
The NCGG programme has brought together civil servants and public-sector representatives from several countries, including Peru, Cambodia, Nigeria, Kenya, Palestine, Lebanon, The Gambia, Ecuador and Spain.
The participants are attending the programme to exchange experiences and learn about governance practices and urban service delivery. Such international initiatives provide opportunities for officials to understand different administrative systems and explore approaches that can improve public services.
By introducing real-time language translation, BHASHINI aims to make these exchanges more accessible to participants who may not share a common language.
The technology can help reduce communication difficulties during informal interactions and collaborative activities, potentially strengthening engagement among delegates from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
BHASHINI Promotes Voice-First Multilingual AI
The initiative reflects BHASHINI’s Voice-First Multilingual AI approach, which focuses on improving accessibility through speech-based and multilingual digital technologies.
The BHASHINI team supported participants in using Shrutlekh and introduced them to the wider BHASHINI ecosystem, including its artificial intelligence capabilities and potential applications across different sectors.
These applications include healthcare, finance, agriculture and public service delivery, where language barriers can affect access to information and digital services.
The team also encouraged participants to explore the BHASHINI mobile application and its features for overcoming language differences in everyday communication and digital interactions.
The broader objective is to demonstrate how Indian language technology can support more inclusive digital experiences, both within India and in international settings.
BHASHINI Strengthens India’s Digital Public Infrastructure
BHASHINI is developing a language technology ecosystem comprising datasets, artificial intelligence models, application programming interfaces (APIs) and multilingual applications. It operates under Digital India Corporation within MeitY and is positioned as India’s Language Digital Public Infrastructure.
According to the information provided by the division, BHASHINI-enabled technologies have been integrated into 2,353 government platforms, including more than 800 government websites.
The platform supports text-based services in 36 Indian languages, voice-based services in 23 Indian languages and language capabilities covering 35 international languages.
Also Read | ‘Power To Empower’: PM Modi Calls For Inclusive Technology And Global Cooperation
BHASHINI has also recorded more than nine billion cumulative AI inferences, with over 24 million AI inferences taking place daily, according to the division’s figures.
These developments illustrate the scale at which language technology is being integrated into digital platforms and government services to improve accessibility for users from different linguistic backgrounds.
AI-Based Translation Could Expand Global Cooperation
The use of Shrutlekh at the Mussoorie programme demonstrates a practical application of multilingual AI in international public-sector engagement.
For civil servants participating in training programmes, the ability to communicate across languages can facilitate discussions, improve participation and support the exchange of administrative knowledge.
As governments increasingly adopt digital technologies, tools that make information accessible in multiple languages could become valuable components of international cooperation and public-service delivery.
Through its engagement with NCGG, BHASHINI is showcasing India’s efforts to develop AI-powered language solutions for diverse public-sector needs. The initiative also underscores the potential of voice-first technology to connect people across linguistic boundaries and support more inclusive international capacity-building programmes.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates and exclusive coverage.
