India

PM Modi, UN Chief António Discuss Inclusive AI & Global South Reforms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.

The engagement formed part of high-level consultations conducted between 16 and 20 February 2026.

PM Modi underscored India’s commitment to advancing inclusive and responsible artificial intelligence.

He emphasised that emerging technologies must benefit humanity at large and not remain confined to a select few.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated that equitable digital transformation remains central to India’s global outreach.

Secretary-General Guterres echoed the need for collective stewardship of AI.

He renewed his call for a proposed US$3 billion global fund to ensure fair and universal access to artificial intelligence capabilities.

Guterres argued that the international community must prevent technological divides from deepening existing inequalities.

Reforming Multilateral Governance

The Prime Minister and the UN Chief also deliberated on reforms within the multilateral system.

PM Modi stressed the importance of amplifying the voice of the Global South in global governance institutions.

He maintained that inclusive representation strengthens the legitimacy and effectiveness of the United Nations framework.

The meeting took place in a formal setting marked by ceremonial decorum.

Photographs captured PM Modi and Secretary-General Guterres exchanging a firm handshake and engaging in structured discussions.

The room featured Indian cultural motifs, floral arrangements and the flags of the United Nations and India. The setting reflected diplomatic warmth and mutual respect.

The dialogue aligned with the broader objectives of the summit. India convened global leaders, policymakers and technology experts to shape norms for ethical AI deployment.

Prime Minister Modi positioned India as a catalyst for technology-driven sustainable development. He highlighted that innovation must reinforce social equity and environmental responsibility.

The discussions reinforced India’s proactive engagement in shaping global AI governance.

The Prime Minister affirmed that collaborative frameworks, transparent standards and equitable financing mechanisms remain essential.

The bilateral exchange with the UN leadership underscored India’s resolve to channel technology towards inclusive global progress.

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Pragati Upadhyay

I report stories and occasionally rescue facts from chaos. By profession, I’m a journalist; by conviction, a social worker who believes words should move people, not just headlines. I question power, celebrate ordinary heroes, and sometimes irritate the comfortable. If truth had a shift, I’d probably be working overtime.