Microsoft co founder Bill Gates arrived in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh on Sunday ahead of his participation in the AI India Impact Summit in New Delhi, drawing attention to potential collaborations between the Gates Foundation and the state government.

Gates was received at Gannavaram Airport by Andhra Pradesh Minister and Telugu Desam Party leader Nara Lokesh, along with senior state ministers. The delegation later proceeded to the Secretariat for discussions on expanding cooperation in health, agriculture, education and technology driven governance.

Welcome to #Amaravati, Mr. Bill Gates.

It was a pleasure to receive the Chair of the Gates Foundation at Gannavaram Airport today, along with my colleagues Home Minister Smt. Anitha Garu, Agriculture Minister Sri Atchannaidu Garu & Health Minister Sri Satya Kumar Garu. We have… pic.twitter.com/JzAWdCjhtF

— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) February 16, 2026

Lokesh described the visit as an important opportunity to deepen engagement with the Gates Foundation on scalable development initiatives. In a post on social media, he said the state was keen to work closely with the foundation to deliver impactful solutions for its people.

Focus On Development Partnerships In Andhra Pradesh

According to officials, the discussions centred on leveraging global expertise to strengthen public systems and accelerate technology adoption across sectors. The Gates Foundation has been involved in multiple initiatives in India, particularly in public health, digital innovation and agricultural productivity.

State leaders expressed optimism that the visit could pave the way for new programmes aimed at improving service delivery and outcomes in rural and urban areas alike. Andhra Pradesh has been positioning itself as a hub for technology led governance, and collaboration with international institutions is seen as a key component of that strategy.

Gates Among Key Global Voices At AI Summit

Gates is among several prominent global figures attending the AI India Impact Summit being held from February 16 to 20 in the national capital. The event will bring together heads of state, technology leaders, policymakers and researchers to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and its societal impact.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the India AI Impact Expo at Bharat Mandapam. The summit is being billed as the first major international AI gathering hosted in the Global South, underscoring India’s ambition to shape responsible and inclusive AI development.

Welcoming international delegates, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s rapid progress in science and technology and emphasised the role of the country’s youth in driving innovation.

India Positions Itself As A Global AI Hub

Organisers say the summit will showcase India’s vision for sovereign and inclusive artificial intelligence, focusing on large scale deployment across governance, agriculture, healthcare and education. The expo will feature participation from global technology firms, startups, academic institutions and governments.

With India’s AI market projected to grow rapidly in the coming years, the event is also expected to foster partnerships, investments and knowledge exchange. Gates’ presence at both the Andhra Pradesh meetings and the summit highlights the growing intersection between philanthropy, technology and public policy in addressing large scale developmental challenges.

The convergence of global leaders in New Delhi is being seen as a milestone in India’s effort to position itself as a bridge between technological innovation and real world impact.

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