New Delhi, February 19 Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that the India AI Impact Summit 2026 has positioned the country for leadership in a new era, building upon the milestones achieved under the Narendra Modi government.
In a series of posts on X, Shah said that by hosting the largest gathering of global leaders and tech giants, India is setting "an ethical direction for the new era, based on the ancient principle of universal happiness and well-being."
The home minister said that the summit is "India's commitment to the world to perpetually advance the progress of humankind" through its endless power of innovation and democracy, which runs deep within its culture. "The future may be uncertain for many, but India has already taken control of its destiny," he added.
Shah noted that India's AI vision, MANAV, presented by Prime Minister Modi at the summit, sets humanity's direction towards a foolproof future. He said that with principles of morality, accountability, national data sovereignty, accessibility, and valid systems, the world is ready for the next leap in civilization.
"Sarvam AI, showcased at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, testifies to why the future belongs to India. By providing cutting-edge AI solutions in 22 Indian languages, it ensures that technology reaches everyone, paving the way for Modi Ji's vision of Viksit Bharat, where technology is a trusted ally for citizens," Shah added.
The summit is being held from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam. The event has seen participation from several heads of state, 500 global AI leaders, 150 academics, 400 chief technology officers, and various philanthropists.
Attendees include UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Swiss President Guy Parmelin. CEOs from leading global technology companies are also present.
Other prominent participants include Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Estonian President Alar Karis, and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.
The theme of the summit is 'Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay' (welfare for all, happiness of all). Seven working groups are anchoring the event, aligned with the pillars of people, planet, and progress. These groups focus on delivering outcomes that demonstrate the impact of artificial intelligence across various sectors.
The seven themes of the summit are AI for Economic Growth and Social Good, Democratising AI Resources, Inclusion for Social Empowerment, Safe and Trusted AI, Human Capital, Science and Resilience, Innovation and Efficiency.
