NEW DELHI– As artificial intelligence reshapes economies and societies worldwide, India is positioning itself at the center of the global AI landscape through the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, outlining a vision focused on inclusive, sustainable, and equitable technological growth, according to a new report.
AI is rapidly becoming a major driver of India’s economy and is projected to add more than $500 billion to the country’s gross domestic product by 2035, the Geopolitico report said.
In recent years, the government has evolved from being primarily a provider of physical infrastructure to acting as a facilitator of real-time digital and virtual systems. Artificial intelligence has played a central role in this shift, with AI increasingly embedded across development planning and governance frameworks.
The report noted that AI is no longer confined to research institutions or large corporations, but is reaching citizens through applications in healthcare, agriculture, education, and public services. To support this transition, the government has launched initiatives including the IndiaAI Mission and a network of Centers of Excellence focused on artificial intelligence.
The India–AI Impact Summit 2026 is intended to reinforce this momentum by drawing global attention to India’s ambitions in the AI space. The summit, being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, is described as the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
The event is structured around three core pillars, referred to as “sutras” — People, Planet, and Progress — reflecting India’s emphasis on inclusive growth, sustainability, and equitable development through the use of AI.
The summit has drawn participation from senior executives across global technology and business sectors, along with prominent international figures and leading Indian industry leaders. Organizers said the high-level attendance highlights India’s expanding influence not only in AI research and development, but also in regulation, policy formulation, and efforts to broaden access to advanced technologies.
The forum is designed to promote dialogue and cooperation among countries in the Global South, with discussions centered on innovation, policy coordination, and responsible deployment of artificial intelligence.
India’s leadership role is further underscored by its position in the summit’s working group, which is co-chaired with Egypt and Kenya. According to the report, this collaboration reflects India’s commitment to building a balanced and inclusive global AI ecosystem through shared access, cooperation, and capacity building. (Source: IANS)
