India will host the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 16 to 20. The summit will bring together 20 heads of state, ministerial delegations from over 45 countries, and global innovators to deliberate on responsible AI, inclusive growth, and sustainability under the guiding principles of People, Planet, and Progress
Global Participation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited leaders from across the globe to attend the summit. Confirmed participants include French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, and Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Presidents from Sri Lanka, Serbia, Slovakia, and Estonia are also expected. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will join the deliberations, alongside senior officials from international organizations.
Summit Themes
The India AI Impact Summit will revolve around three core sutras: People, Planet, and Progress. Discussions will focus on responsible AI governance, ethical innovation, and leveraging technology for societal welfare. The overarching theme, “Welfare for All, Happiness of All,” reflects India’s vision of AI as a tool for human-centric development.
India’s Role In Global AI
By hosting this summit, India positions itself as a leader in the Global South’s technology dialogue. The event marks the first major AI summit in the region, highlighting India’s ambition to balance innovation with ethics and sustainability while fostering international cooperation.
Key Highlights
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Summit scheduled from February 16–20 in New Delhi
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Twenty heads of state confirmed, including Macron, Lula, Mitsotakis, Tobgay, Plenković, Orpo, Rutte, Jugnauth, and Al Nahyan
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Presidents from Sri Lanka, Serbia, Slovakia, and Estonia to attend
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to participate
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Focus on responsible AI, inclusive growth, and sustainability
Conclusion
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is set to be a landmark event in global technology cooperation. By convening leaders, innovators, and policymakers, India underscores its commitment to shaping an AI-driven future that prioritizes inclusivity, ethics, and long-term progress.
Sources: News18, Times of India, The Hindu BusinessLine, MEA Press Release