EAM S Jaishankar inaugurates exhibition on India's contribution to mathematics at UN Headquarters

EAM S Jaishankar inaugurated an exhibition on India’s contribution to mathematics at the United Nations headquarters in New York and called for a more inclusive understanding of the history of science and mathematics.

Speaking at the event, Jaishankar said the world must move away from a “uni-dimensional narrative” about mathematics and scientific development and instead recognise India’s foundational contributions to global knowledge systems.

The External Affairs Minister highlighted the example of the binary system developed in India during the third century, saying it laid the foundation for the digital age and the modern world’s journey into artificial intelligence.

He said the exhibition serves as a reminder that mathematics is a universal language whose spread has contributed significantly to global progress and innovation.

Jaishankar also referred to the AI Impact Summit hosted by India earlier this year, saying the event sent a strong message that creativity and innovation cannot remain limited to a select few nations or societies.

“It is only by correcting the distortions of the past that we can accurately address the issues of the future,” Jaishankar said, adding that democratisation of technology and global progress also requires the democratisation of history.

The interactive exhibition, titled “Global Diffusion of Mathematics”, was created under the India International Centre’s SAMHITA programme. The initiative aims to showcase India’s intellectual heritage across disciplines such as medicine, mathematics, philosophy, architecture, aesthetics and literature.

The exhibition features a series of digital panels highlighting India’s ancient mathematical achievements, including developments in binary systems, algebra and calculus.

The event at the United Nations headquarters drew attention to India’s historical role in shaping scientific and mathematical thought across civilizations.