India took centre stage in the global technology landscape on Sunday as the India AI Impact Summit and Expo 2026 commenced in the national capital, bringing together world leaders, technology giants, startups and researchers under one roof.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam and welcomed international delegates, describing the event as a reflection of India’s growing technological capabilities and the power of its youth.

In a message posted on X, the Prime Minister said the large global participation was a matter of pride and proof that India is advancing rapidly in science and technology while contributing to global development.

Bringing the world together to discuss AI!

Starting today, India hosts the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. I warmly welcome world leaders, captains of industry, innovators, policymakers, researchers and tech enthusiasts from across the world for this Summit. The…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 16, 2026

A Massive Global Showcase

The Expo, running from February 16 to 20 alongside the summit, is designed as a large-scale demonstration of artificial intelligence applications across sectors. Spread across more than 70,000 square metres and divided into 10 arenas, the event features participation from global technology firms, startups, academic institutions, government bodies and international partners.

Thirteen country pavilions are showcasing international collaboration, with delegations from Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan and several African nations.

More than 300 exhibition booths and live demonstrations have been organised around three themes: People, Planet and Progress, highlighting AI’s role in areas ranging from healthcare and agriculture to education and climate solutions.

Over 600 startups are participating, many presenting AI systems already deployed at scale. Organisers expect more than 2.5 lakh visitors, including policymakers, industry leaders and foreign delegates.

India’s AI Ambition On Display

The summit itself is being billed as the first major international AI gathering hosted in the Global South and underscores India’s ambition to shape a responsible and inclusive AI future.

Under the government’s IndiaAI Mission, 12 indigenous foundation models developed by domestic startups and research consortia are being unveiled. These models are trained on Indian datasets and designed to support all 22 official languages, reflecting the country’s focus on population-scale digital solutions.

The event will also feature more than 500 sessions involving over 3,250 speakers and panellists discussing policy, innovation, ethics and implementation challenges in artificial intelligence.

With projections indicating that India’s AI market could exceed USD 17 billion by 2027, officials view the summit as both a technological milestone and a platform to build global partnerships.

Backed by a vast digital user base, a thriving startup ecosystem and robust public digital infrastructure, India is positioning itself as a bridge between cutting-edge innovation and real-world impact in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

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