Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a series of high-level meetings with global leaders and industry heads on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The discussions focused on strengthening India’s leadership in artificial intelligence and deepening international partnerships. The summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20.
Meeting with Google CEO Sundar Pichai
During the summit, PM Modi met Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, to discuss India’s growing AI ecosystem. Sharing details on X, the Prime Minister 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 meeting focused on collaboration in artificial intelligence and opportunities for Indian talent.
Talks with Finland on trade and technology
PM Modi also held extensive discussions with Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. A key topic was the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). “Thanked him for his personal support to the India-EU FTA, which ushers in a golden era in India-Europe relations. India and Finland aim to double trade,” PM Modi posted on X.
The two leaders also discussed cooperation in emerging sectors such as 6G, innovation, clean energy, biofuels, and the circular economy.
Strengthening ties with Spain
The Prime Minister later met Spanish President Pedro Sánchez to explore ways to expand bilateral cooperation. “Had a productive meeting with President Pedro Sanchez in Delhi. Discussed ways to boost the India-Spain friendship, especially in areas such as defence, security, technology and more,” he said.
He also announced that 2026 will be observed as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and AI. “This will deepen people-to-people linkages,” he noted, welcoming a large delegation of universities from Spain.
PM Modi added that the EU-India FTA would create new economic opportunities for both countries.
India`s IT future and Global AI gathering
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is the first major global AI summit hosted in the Global South. It has brought together representatives from over 110 countries and 30 international organizations, including heads of state, ministers, policymakers, industry experts, and academics.
The summit is guided by three core principles — People, Planet, and Progress — and promotes human-centric and sustainable AI development. It aligns with India’s vision of “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” (welfare for all, happiness for all) and the broader goal of AI for Humanity.
In a special interview with ANI, PM Modi spoke about AI’s growing impact on India’s IT sector. “India`s IT sector has been the backbone of our services exports and a key driver of economic growth,” he said. “AI presents both a tremendous opportunity and a challenge.”
He added that projections show India’s IT sector could reach USD 400 billion by 2030, driven by AI-enabled outsourcing and automation. Highlighting the government’s approach, he emphasized preparing the workforce for the future, ensuring that innovation leads to inclusive and sustainable growth. Through these engagements at the summit, India has underlined its ambition to play a leading role in shaping the global future of artificial intelligence.