Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that the “rapid progress” in science and technology and the potential of the country’s young are reflected in the India AI Impact Summit, calling it a subject of “immense pride” that international delegates had convened in India. The Prime Minister will open the five-day conference and related India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, bringing together IT executives, policymakers, and startup founders from around the globe in the capital.
“We are extremely proud that people from all over the world are visiting India,” Modi said in a post on X, adding that the event demonstrates “the capability of our country’s youth” and is “further proof that our country is progressing rapidly in the field of science and technology.” With over 300 exposition pavilions and live demonstrations organized around the themes of People, Planet, and Progress, the Expo, which takes place from February 16 to 20, occupies more than 70,000 square meters across 10 stadiums.
Over 600 startups are participating in the summit, many showcasing AI systems already deployed at scale. Thirteen country pavilions — including Australia, Japan, the UK, France and Germany — are part of the exhibition, alongside Union ministries, state governments, global tech firms and research institutions. More than 500 sessions featuring 3,250 speakers are planned, with over 250,000 visitors expected.
A key highlight under the IndiaAI Mission is the launch of 12 indigenous foundation AI models developed by Indian startups and research groups. Built on domestic datasets and designed to work across 22 official languages, the models aim to boost self-reliance. Calling the summit a sign of India’s rising global role, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it reflects the country’s push to become a central player in the fast-growing AI market.
