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Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 23:51 IST
The formal inauguration of the event by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday at Bharat Mandapam is set to be a global spectacle
PM Narendra Modi during the opening of the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 16, 2026. (Image: PMO/PTI)
In a historic display of India’s technological and diplomatic prowess, the capital prepares for the crowning moment of the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Following a week of high-level deliberations and the vibrant AI Impact Expo, the formal inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday at Bharat Mandapam is set to be a global spectacle, cementing New Delhi’s role as the “capital of the Global South" in the artificial intelligence era.
The Inaugural Schedule
The morning will begin with a powerful visual of global unity at the iconic Bharat Mandapam.
09:15 AM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will personally welcome heads of state and world leaders, followed by a Family Photo—a symbolic image representing the unified global front on AI governance.
09:40 AM: The Opening Ceremony of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 will commence, featuring addresses from high-profile leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
10:25 AM: Prime Minister Modi will deliver his keynote address, setting the definitive roadmap for “Sovereign AI" and inclusive technology.
A Spectacle of Global Leadership
The atmosphere at Bharat Mandapam has been nothing short of electric. Transformed into a futuristic hub, the venue has hosted over 2.5 lakh visitors and delegates from more than 60 nations. The architectural brilliance of the convention centre, illuminated with AI-themed light installations, provides a fitting backdrop for what is being called the “G20 moment" of the tech world.
The scale of the event is a testament to India’s burgeoning influence. With over 20 heads of state and 500 global AI leaders—including CEOs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft—the summit has transcended being a mere tech conference. It is a declaration of India’s intent to bridge the digital divide. The theme, “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya" (Welfare for all, happiness of all), resonates through the halls, where the focus remains on using AI for social empowerment, agriculture, and sustainable development.
Praise for the ‘India Way’
World leaders have been effusive in their praise for India’s distinctive approach to technology. UN Secretary-General António Guterres lauded India as a “very successful emerging economy" and the “perfect host," emphasising that the world needs India to ensure AI doesn’t become a privilege of the few. President Alar Karis of Estonia, a global digital pioneer himself, remarked that India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is now the global benchmark for how modern states should operate.
The summit has successfully showcased that India is not just a consumer of AI but a primary innovator. From the launch of 12 indigenous foundation models tailored for Indian languages to the democratisation of high-end computing resources, the “India Way" is being viewed as the blueprint for the Global South. As leaders gather for the family photo tomorrow morning, they aren’t just standing with a tech hub; they are standing with a nation that has successfully married ancient wisdom with frontier technology.
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First Published:
February 18, 2026, 23:51 IST
News tech Handshakes, Headlines, And PM Modi's High-Stakes Keynote: Thursday’s Big Script At India AI Summit
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