National, Feb 16: Calling it a moment of “immense pride” that global delegates have assembled in the country, Narendra Modi on February 16 said the India AI Impact Summit highlights the strength of India’s youth and its swift advancement in science and technology.
Technology leaders, policymakers and startup founders from around the world have converged in the national capital for the five-day India AI Impact Summit and the accompanying India AI Impact Expo 2026. The Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the event later in the day at Bharat Mandapam.
In a post on X, Modi said it was a matter of pride that participants from across the globe were coming to India, describing the gathering as a testament to the capability of the country’s youth and further proof of rapid progress in the fields of science and technology.
The Expo, running from February 16 to 20, covers more than 70,000 square metres across 10 arenas and includes over 300 exhibition pavilions and live demonstrations organised under the themes of People, Planet and Progress. More than 600 startups are taking part, with several presenting AI systems already deployed at scale. Thirteen country pavilions — featuring Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan and African nations — are participating alongside Union ministries, state governments, global technology companies and research institutions.
Organisers have lined up more than 500 sessions involving over 3,250 speakers and panellists, with attendance projected to exceed 250,000 visitors, including international delegates.
A key highlight under the IndiaAI Mission is the launch of 12 indigenous foundation AI models developed by Indian startups and research consortia. Built on extensive domestic datasets and designed to operate across 22 official languages, the models aim to enhance India’s technological self-reliance and reduce dependence on foreign platforms.
Describing the summit as a sign of India’s expanding contribution to global development, the Prime Minister said the event demonstrates how the country is positioning itself at the forefront of the evolving AI ecosystem. With more than 800 million internet users and a fast-growing startup ecosystem, the government is projecting India as a major contender in the global AI market, which it estimates will surpass 17 billion US dollars by 2027.
