- By Medhavini
- 19 Feb 2026
India-AI Impact Summit 2026: 20 World Leaders to Converge in New Delhi for Landmark Global AI Meet
New Delhi: India is set to host one of the most significant technology gatherings in the developing world as the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 begins in the national capital tomorrow. The five-day event will be the first global AI summit of its scale to be organised in the Global South, bringing together heads of state, ministers, global institutions, and technology leaders.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, leaders from 20 countries will attend the summit in person, marking a major diplomatic and technological milestone for India.
Global Leaders Confirmed for the Summit
Among the prominent attendees are:
- Emmanuel Macron
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
- Pedro Sánchez
- Guy Parmelin
- Dick Schoof
- Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- Navinchandra Ramgoolam
- Anura Kumara Dissanayake
- Sebastien Pillay
- Tshering Tobgay
Leaders and delegations from Bolivia, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Guyana, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Serbia and Slovakia will also participate.
In addition, ministerial representatives from over 45 countries, the UN Secretary-General, and senior officials from several international organisations are expected to join the deliberations.
A Global South-Led AI Platform
The summit is being positioned as a defining moment for emerging economies seeking a stronger voice in global AI governance. More than 100 countries have been invited, and over two lakh participants have registered online — highlighting the scale of international interest.
India aims to use the platform to shape collaborative AI frameworks that prioritise equitable access, safety standards, and development-oriented innovation.
Three Guiding “Sutras”
The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is structured around three foundational pillars:
- People
- Planet
- Progress
These principles aim to ensure that artificial intelligence development remains human-centric, environmentally responsible, and economically transformative.
Seven Thematic “Chakras”
Discussions at the summit are organised into seven working groups, referred to as Chakras, covering interconnected themes:
- Human Capital
- Inclusion for Social Empowerment
- Safe and Trusted AI
- Science and Research
- Resilience
- Innovation and Efficiency
- Democratising AI Resources and AI for Economic Development
These themes reflect India’s emphasis on bridging the digital divide and promoting AI for social good rather than purely commercial gain.
From Dialogue to Delivery
Officials describe the summit as a shift from high-level discussion to actionable outcomes. India seeks to position itself not just as a participant in AI governance but as a convenor of global cooperation frameworks.
The event underscores India’s growing technological influence and its ambition to build responsible, inclusive, and scalable AI systems that serve both national and global priorities.
With participation from world leaders and institutions, the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is expected to play a defining role in shaping the next phase of international AI collaboration.
