R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, FEB 16
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed global leaders, innovators, policymakers, startup founders, researchers and industry captains to the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, declaring that India is leading the world into a new era of human-centric artificial intelligence.
Inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam.
Being here among innovators, researchers and tech enthusiasts gives a glimpse of the extraordinary potential of AI, Indian talent and innovation. Together, we will shape solutions not just for India but for the… pic.twitter.com/G370iXYAXm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 16, 2026
Delivering a powerful message that underscored India’s technological confidence and global ambition, the Prime Minister asserted: “Powered by the strength of its 1.4 billion people, India stands at the forefront of the AI transformation.”
- Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya: India hosts world’s brightest minds to shape human-centric artificial intelligence
- Government, startups, creators and policymakers converge at Bharat Mandapam, signalling India’s rise as AI creator—not just consumer
- MIB Pavilion and WAVES Creators Corner spotlight indigenous AI innovation, sovereignty and Bharat-centric startup solutions
- AI Impact Summit positions India as architect of responsible, inclusive and opportunity-driven global AI future
The Summit, themed “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya — Welfare for All, Happiness for All,” reflects India’s civilisational ethos guiding cutting-edge technological progress while ensuring inclusive development.
PM Welcomes Global AI Leaders, Calls Summit a Turning Point
Prime Minister Modi said the Summit marks a historic convergence of global AI stakeholders and a defining moment for international collaboration on responsible artificial intelligence.
In a post shared on X, the Prime Minister wrote: “Bringing the world together to discuss AI! Starting today, India hosts the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. I warmly welcome world leaders, captains of industry, innovators, policymakers, researchers and tech enthusiasts from across the world for this Summit. The theme of the Summit is Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya or welfare for all, happiness for all, reflecting our shared commitment to harnessing Artificial Intelligence for human-centric progress.”
Highlighting AI’s sweeping impact, he added: “AI today is transforming several sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, governance and enterprise. The AI Impact Summit will enrich global discourse on diverse aspects of AI, such as innovation, collaboration, responsible use and more. I am confident that the outcomes of the Summit will help shape a future that is progressive, innovative and opportunity-driven.”
India’s AI Leadership Driven by Youth, Innovation and Digital Infrastructure
Calling the Summit a testament to India’s technological rise and youth power, the Prime Minister emphasised that India’s digital ecosystem and startup dynamism are driving global AI momentum.
He said: “Thanks to the 1.4 billion people of India, our nation stands at the forefront of the AI transformation. From digital public infrastructure to a vibrant StartUp ecosystem and cutting-edge research, our strides in AI reflect both ambition and responsibility.”
Officials described the Summit as a landmark moment reflecting India’s emergence as a global technology powerhouse, powered by its young innovators, digital public infrastructure, and rapidly expanding artificial intelligence ecosystem.
MIB Pavilion Showcases India’s Indigenous AI Strength and Startup Depth
Reinforcing India’s ambition to shape global AI conversations, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has set up a dedicated Pavilion at the Summit, projecting India’s transition from technology adopter to AI creator.
The Pavilion, featuring the WAVES Creators Corner, serves as a vibrant hub where policymakers, startups, investors, creators and global delegates interact to align artificial intelligence with India’s developmental priorities, cultural diversity and national security needs.
Officials said the initiative aims to position India as a producer of scalable, socially relevant and indigenous AI solutions.
“The idea is to ensure that Indian AI innovation is seen, understood and contextualised globally,” an official said.
The Pavilion foregrounds startups building AI applications across healthcare, governance, media, content creation and social impact, providing a platform for founders to engage directly with global stakeholders.
Startup-Driven Narrative Signals India’s Shift to AI Innovation Leadership
The startup ecosystem is playing a central role in shaping India’s AI narrative, with curated sessions, founder showcases and innovation panels highlighting emerging AI entrepreneurs, women founders and Bharat-focused technology innovators.
Curated programming and live startup pitches are spotlighting India’s growing influence in AI sovereignty, local-language AI platforms, social impact solutions and next-generation content ecosystems.
Industry observers noted that integrating startups into a government-led Pavilion signals India’s shift from policy-centric messaging to founder-driven innovation storytelling.
India Positions Itself as Architect of Responsible Global AI Future
The India AI Impact Summit is widely seen as a strategic platform positioning India as a key global voice in artificial intelligence governance, innovation and ethical deployment.
By bringing together governments, startups, creators and global industry leaders under one roof, India is demonstrating its capacity not only to adopt AI but to design, govern and scale it on its own terms.
With its vast talent pool, digital infrastructure, startup momentum and visionary leadership, India is rapidly transforming into one of the world’s most influential AI innovation hubs—reshaping the future of technology for humanity.
