India AI Impact Summit 2026: PM Modi Unveils M.A.N.A.V. Vision
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India Impact AI Summit in New Delhi on Thursday (Image PIB)
“Artificial Intelligence marks a transformative chapter in human history,” says PM as India positions itself as global AI hub
By AMIT KUMAR
New Delhi, February 19, 2026 —Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, declaring that Artificial Intelligence represents a civilisational turning point comparable to the discovery of fire, writing, and wireless communication.
Addressing leaders from over 100 countries, global tech CEOs, and UN representatives including Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister asserted that “AI marks a transformative chapter in human history” and must be shaped with responsibility, transparency and inclusion at its core.
M.A.N.A.V. Vision: India’s Blueprint for Ethical AI
At the heart of Modi’s address was India’s new M.A.N.A.V. vision for AI governance: M – Moral and Ethical Systems; A – Accountable Governance; N – National Sovereignty; A – Accessible and Inclusive; and V – Valid and Legitimate.
“AI must be given an open sky, but command must remain in human hands,” Modi said, stressing that data belongs to its rightful owner and AI must not become a monopoly of a few corporations or nations.
He warned against humans becoming “mere data points” and called for democratising AI so that it becomes a tool of empowerment, particularly for the Global South.
AI for Global Common Good
Framing the summit around the theme Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya — welfare for all, happiness for all — the Prime Minister urged nations to build AI as a Global Common Good, not a closed strategic weapon.
“Open code and shared development will allow millions of young minds to make AI safer and better,” he said, adding that transparency is the strongest safeguard in the AI age.
He also flagged the growing threat of deepfakes and synthetic misinformation, calling for watermarking, digital authenticity labels, and global standards to protect open societies.
India Sees Fortune, Not Fear, in AI
Positioning India as a future AI powerhouse, Modi highlighted the country’s semiconductor push, quantum computing investments, secure data centres and startup ecosystem.
“Any AI model that succeeds in India can succeed globally,” he said, inviting innovators worldwide to:
“Design and Develop in India. Deliver to the World. Deliver to Humanity.”
The summit is expected to host over 500 global AI leaders, including more than 20 Heads of State and Government, signalling India’s ambition to lead the global AI governance debate.
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