The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 has commenced in New Delhi, marking the first-ever global artificial intelligence summit to be hosted in the Global South. The five-day event aims to position India as a leading platform for shaping the global AI agenda and strengthening international cooperation in emerging technologies.
The Summit is designed to enhance India’s role as a convenor and strategic partner in global AI governance, promoting shared standards, collaborative frameworks, and scalable solutions for public good. More than 100 countries have been invited, with over two lakh participants registering online for the landmark event.
Several world leaders are scheduled to attend the summit, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Swiss President Guy Parmelin, Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof, UAE Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, leaders from Bolivia, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Guyana, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Serbia and Slovakia will also participate. Ministerial delegations from more than 45 countries, along with the UN Secretary-General and senior officials from multiple international organisations, are expected to join the deliberations.
The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is guided by three foundational pillars, referred to as Sutras — People, Planet and Progress — which outline the principles for global AI collaboration. The discussions are structured around seven thematic “Chakras” or working groups: Human Capital; Inclusion for Social Empowerment; Safe and Trusted AI; Science, Resilience and Innovation; Efficiency; Democratising AI Resources; and AI for Economic Development and Social Good.
The summit underscores India’s ambition to play a central role in global AI governance, particularly representing the interests and priorities of the Global South in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
