Prime Minister Narendra Modi met CEOs and founders of 16 AI and deeptech startups in New Delhi on February 20, 2026. The roundtable focused on leveraging artificial intelligence in agriculture, education, healthcare, and environmental protection. Modi emphasized strong data governance, India-focused innovation, and solutions tailored to population-scale challenges.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s engagement with AI and deeptech startup leaders at Seva Teerth highlighted India’s growing ambition to harness artificial intelligence for transformative impact. The meeting brought together innovators working across diverse sectors, with discussions centering on agriculture, education, healthcare, cybersecurity, and environmental sustainability. Modi urged startups to design solutions that address India’s unique challenges while positioning the country as a global innovation hub.
Harnessing AI For Agriculture
Startups presented AI-driven solutions for boosting agricultural productivity, including geospatial intelligence, climate risk management, and smart irrigation systems. Modi emphasized that AI must empower farmers by improving crop yields, reducing input costs, and ensuring sustainable practices.
AI In Education
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of promoting higher education in regional languages through AI-enabled platforms. He highlighted that technology should democratize access to quality education, bridging gaps between urban and rural communities. Startups showcased AI tools for personalized learning and skill development.
Key Highlights From The Roundtable
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AI solutions tailored to India’s agricultural needs were discussed
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Education in mother tongue supported through AI-driven platforms
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Healthcare innovations included advanced diagnostics and gene therapy applications
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Environmental protection and sustainability featured prominently in startup presentations
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Strong data governance and combating misinformation were emphasized by the Prime Minister
Focus On Data Governance And Trust
Modi cautioned against misinformation and stressed the need for robust data governance frameworks. He urged startups to build trust by ensuring transparency, security, and ethical use of AI technologies.
India’s Innovation Potential
Referring to UPI as a model of simple and scalable digital innovation, Modi expressed confidence in India’s ability to replicate similar success in AI. He encouraged startups to focus on solutions that can scale to population-level impact, reinforcing India’s position in the global AI ecosystem.
Sources: Daily Excelsior, Economic Times, Business Standard, UNI, ANI