External Affairs Minister of India S. Jaishankar inaugurated the exhibition “From Shunya to Ananta – Zero to Infinity – The Indian Civilisation’s Contribution to Mathematics” on May 11, 2026, at the United Nations in New York.
Organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, the exhibition will be open from May 11 to 15, 2026.
Speaking at the event, Jaishankar highlighted how the “global diffusion of mathematics” reflects a story of “interconnectedness,” noting that the coding principles underpinning today’s technological era were conceptualized in India centuries ago.
The exhibition seeks to highlight India’s long-standing tradition of “thinking, applying, and developing mathematics” over more than two millennia. It showcases how mathematical ideas that originated on the Indian subcontinent continue to remain relevant, supporting modern technologies and scientific advancements that shape contemporary life worldwide.
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The interactive display explores the influence of Indian mathematics across Sanskrit poetry, culture, classical dance, music, and architecture, while also tracing its role in modern innovations such as computing, GPS, algorithms, and artificial intelligence. According to the exhibition, concepts once expressed in Sanskrit verse, including early forms of binary thinking, continue to underpin today’s digital infrastructure.
The exhibition will remain open to United Nations badge holders at the Delegates Entrance through May 15, 2026.
