Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s growing role in the global artificial intelligence landscape on Wednesday after a high-level meeting with Google CEO Sundar Pichai on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “It was a delight to meet Mr. Sundar Pichai on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. Talked about the work India is doing in AI and how Google can work with our talented students and professionals in this field.”
The interaction reflects India’s intent to deepen collaboration with global technology giants as it pushes to become a major voice in responsible and impactful AI development.
The India AI Impact Summit, being held from February 16 to 21 at Bharat Mandapam, is one of the largest gatherings on artificial intelligence ever hosted in the Global South and aims to move discussions from theory to real-world action.
More than 20 heads of state, 60 ministers and over 500 global AI leaders, including tech executives and policymakers, have converged in New Delhi to chart a shared vision for inclusive and ethical AI deployment.
Unlike earlier global AI forums that centred largely on safety and risk mitigation, this summit places a strong emphasis on AI for development. It is anchored in three foundational principles: People, Planet and Progress, designed to ensure AI enhances education, healthcare, sustainable development and governance while promoting equitable growth.
Sessions at the summit span a wide agenda, from AI and the Future of Skilling to the application of AI in agriculture, health and labour markets, signalling India’s ambition to harness AI as a practical tool for socio-economic transformation.
It may be noted that the expo that accompanies the summit features over 300 exhibitors from more than 30 countries, showcasing innovations that range from public service solutions to enterprise-level AI platforms.
For Google and other global firms, the summit offers an opportunity to align products, research and talent development with India’s digital ecosystem.
India’s vast developer base, strong digital public infrastructure and surging startup ecosystem make it an attractive partner for multinational technology companies.
Pichai’s presence signals continuing investor confidence and a shared interest in building AI capacity that spans research, skilling and product development.
The summit has already highlighted broader AI policy discussions, including frameworks for trusted AI, ethical governance and international cooperation—topics that PM Modi and other world leaders are prioritising as nations navigate the rapid evolution of AI technologies.
