NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed a host of world leaders on Wednesday to the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam convention centre, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay received a traditional ceremonial greeting featuring drums, nadaswaram, and tanpura, followed by warm handshakes and exchanges of pleasantries with the Prime Minister.
Among the dignitaries greeted by Modi at the vibrantly decorated venue were Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbia President Aleksandar Vučić, Seychelles Vice-President Sebastien Pillay, Estonia President Alar Karis, and Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Guyana Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo were also welcomed.
Running from February 16-20, the summit convenes over 500 global AI leaders, 150 academicians and researchers, and 400 CTOs, VPs, and philanthropists.
On February 19, Prime Minister Modi will join the Opening Ceremony at around 9:40 AM, alongside France’s President, the UN Secretary-General, and top industry leaders worldwide. This will be followed by a visit to the India AI Impact Expo at 11 AM, touring country pavilions with fellow leaders.
At noon, he will participate in the Leaders’ Plenary, uniting heads of state, ministers, and multilateral representatives to discuss national and global AI priorities like governance, infrastructure, and cooperation.
Later, from 5:30 PM, Modi will engage in a CEO roundtable with senior executives from tech and industry giants, focusing on investments, research collaboration, supply chains, and AI deployment.
Under the theme ‘Welfare for All, Happiness of All,’ the India AI Impact Summit 2026 positions India as an AI powerhouse, promoting inclusive growth, human advancement, and planetary stewardship. Seven Working Groups, aligned to three pillars—People, Planet, and Progress—drive outcomes across sectors. Key themes include AI for Economic Growth and Social Good; Democratizing AI Resources; Inclusion for Social Empowerment; Safe and Trusted AI; Human Capital; Science; and Resilience, Innovation, and Efficiency.
The event draws over 500 global AI leaders (including 100 CEOs and founders), 150 academicians and researchers, 400 CTOs, VPs, and philanthropists, plus 100+ government figures—among them 20+ heads of state/government and 60 ministers/vice-ministers.
