Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded an intensive diplomatic schedule on Wednesday after holding nine bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
He later hosted an official banquet for visiting heads of state, government leaders and senior executives at Bharat Mandapam.
During the day, PM Modi met Pedro Sánchez, President of Spain, and Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland.
He also held talks with Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia, and Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Croatia.
Later, he engaged with Alar Karis, President of Estonia, Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, and Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan.
The discussions focused on technology cooperation, economic engagement and strategic alignment.
The Prime Minister also met Sundar Pichai, Chief Executive Officer of Google, and Vinod Khosla at Hyderabad House.
He explored investment, innovation and artificial intelligence partnerships with global industry leaders.
With world leaders at the AI Impact Summit dinner and cultural programme. pic.twitter.com/Z9kmOCD47L
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 18, 2026
Informal exchanges with dignitaries continued into the evening. PM Modi personally welcomed guests at the banquet hosted in honour of summit participants.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister will attend the formal inauguration of the Summit at Bharat Mandapam.
The session will also feature addresses by the President of France and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, alongside leading figures from international industry.
He will then tour the India AI Impact Expo 2026 with other leaders and visit national pavilions showcasing innovation and research.
PM Modi will subsequently join the Leaders’ Plenary. Heads of State, ministers and multilateral representatives will outline domestic and global priorities on artificial intelligence.
They will deliberate on governance, digital infrastructure and cross-border cooperation.
The Prime Minister will also participate in a CEO roundtable. Senior executives from technology and industrial corporations will discuss capital investment, research partnerships, supply chains and AI deployment strategies with government representatives.
The Summit carries the theme ‘Welfare for All, Happiness of All’. Organisers aim to establish India as a global leader in artificial intelligence.
They envision AI as a tool to advance humanity, stimulate inclusive growth and protect the planet.
Seven Working Groups anchor the programme under three pillars: People, Planet and Progress.
The themes include economic growth and social good, democratising AI resources, social inclusion, safe and trusted AI, human capital, science, and resilience and innovation.
The Summit has convened over 500 global AI leaders. The delegation brings together around 100 chief executives and founders.
It also includes 150 academics and researchers, along with 400 senior technology leaders.
More than 100 government representatives are participating, including over 20 heads of state and government and nearly 60 ministers and deputy ministers.
The cultural programme at Bharat Mandapam showcased India’s rich heritage and traditions! pic.twitter.com/Pih33mon9F
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 18, 2026
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