Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday welcomed leaders and representatives from across the world at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20, is the first major Artificial Intelligence conference to be held in the Global South.
Addressing the gathering at the inaugural ceremony, the Prime Minister welcomed global leaders, chief executive officers and experts attending the summit. The event is aimed at positioning India as a global leader in Artificial Intelligence and promoting sustainable development through technological innovation.
During the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Modi received United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Seychelles Vice President Sebastian Pillay, Estonian President Alar Karis, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Guyana Vice President Bharat Jagdeo.
The welcome ceremony featured Indian cultural elements, including performances with traditional instruments such as drums, nadaswaram and tanpura. The Prime Minister greeted the dignitaries with handshakes and “Namaste.” Bharat Mandapam was decorated for the occasion, and cultural performances were held as part of the ceremony.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister held nine bilateral meetings, including discussions with seven world leaders and two global chief executive officers. Key meetings were held with Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Estonian President Alar Karis.
The two global chief executive officers were Sundar Pichai and Vinod Khosla. Discussions during the meetings covered Artificial Intelligence, technology, innovation, blue economy, the IMEEC corridor, the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, digital cooperation and economic partnership. In his meeting with the Croatian Prime Minister, the Prime Minister expressed agreement on enhancing cooperation in technology, shipbuilding and connectivity. In discussions with the Estonian President, he noted Estonia’s progress in Artificial Intelligence and digital technology and emphasised strengthening economic partnership.
Prime Minister Modi also hosted a dinner for world leaders and dignitaries attending the summit. Cultural performances were presented during the evening.
More than 500 global Artificial Intelligence leaders, 150 academics and researchers, and 400 chief technology officers, vice presidents and other experts are participating in the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The summit theme is “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya,” structured around three pillars: People, Planet and Progress. The stated objective is to use Artificial Intelligence for human-centric progress and to promote inclusive development.
The summit highlighted technological innovation, economic partnerships and India’s leadership role in the Global South. The Prime Minister presented the event as reflecting India’s digital and technological capabilities.
