New Delhi Takes Center Stage as India Hosts Landmark Global AI Summit
In a powerful signal of its growing technological and diplomatic clout, India is hosting a major international summit dedicated to artificial intelligence—drawing presidents, prime ministers, tech giants, and policymakers from across the world to the national capital.
The high-profile gathering has transformed New Delhi into a hub of global AI dialogue, where conversations are not just about algorithms and innovation, but about ethics, governance, and the future of humanity.
A Grand Welcome for the Netherlands Prime Minister
4
Among the prominent leaders arriving for the summit is Dick Schoof, who landed in New Delhi on Wednesday. He was received at the airport by India’s Minister of State Jitendra Singh in a ceremonial welcome reflecting the importance New Delhi attaches to the visit.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs noted that Prime Minister Schoof’s participation is expected to further deepen and strengthen bilateral ties between India and the Netherlands. His presence at the summit is being seen as both a diplomatic and technological bridge-building moment, reinforcing cooperation in innovation, sustainability, and digital governance.
A Gathering of Global Powerhouses
The summit has attracted a remarkable lineup of world leaders and technology figures. On the sidelines of the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings with key international counterparts.
These included discussions with:
- Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Croatia
- Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google
- Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia
- Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland
- Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain
Other distinguished attendees include Sebastien Pillay, Vice President of Seychelles; Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius; and Ebba Busch, Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Business and Industry.
Their presence underscores the summit’s global scale and the shared recognition that artificial intelligence is no longer a niche technological domain—it is a defining force shaping economies, governance, and societies.
Inside the India AI Impact Summit 2026
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The summit began on February 16 and will continue through February 20, 2026.
Over five days, the venue has become a global forum where government policymakers, AI industry leaders, academic researchers, technology innovators, and civil society representatives are engaging in wide-ranging discussions about the opportunities and risks posed by artificial intelligence.
Notably, the summit is the first major global AI conference to be hosted in the Global South. Its guiding philosophy reflects India’s national vision of “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” — welfare and happiness for all — aligned with the broader global principle of “AI for Humanity.”
More than 110 countries and over 30 international organizations are participating. The event has drawn nearly 20 heads of state or government and around 45 ministers, highlighting the political weight now attached to AI governance.
Beyond Innovation: Governance and Responsibility
The summit is not just about technological breakthroughs. It is part of an evolving international effort aimed at strengthening global cooperation on AI governance, safety, and its societal impact. As artificial intelligence systems increasingly influence defense, healthcare, finance, education, and public administration, questions of accountability, transparency, and ethical safeguards have moved to the forefront.
By convening such a broad coalition of nations and institutions, India is positioning itself as a central voice in shaping the global AI framework—one that balances innovation with inclusion, and ambition with responsibility.
As debates unfold inside the halls of Bharat Mandapam, one message is clear: the future of artificial intelligence will not be written by one nation alone. It will be negotiated, debated, and defined collectively—and for this moment, New Delhi stands at the heart of that conversation.