New Delhi sets the stage for an ambitious diplomatic push as Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets global leaders to cement India’s role in the emerging AI order.
A Diplomatic Sprint at the AI Impact Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a high-intensity diplomatic outreach at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, holding back-to-back bilateral meetings with Pedro Sánchez, Peter Pellegrini, and Petteri Orpo. The engagements—set against the summit’s February 16–20 schedule—signalled New Delhi’s intent to position itself at the centre of global AI governance, supply-chain diversification, and digital-era trade partnerships.
Held at Hyderabad House, the meetings underscored India’s attempt to weave AI cooperation into broader geopolitical and economic frameworks with Europe and beyond.
AI as the New Diplomatic Currency
The summit reflects India’s evolving diplomatic strategy: leveraging its fast-growing digital economy and AI ecosystem to deepen bilateral ties. With AI reshaping manufacturing, telecom, defence, and governance, New Delhi is framing technology collaboration as both an economic multiplier and a geopolitical stabiliser. The emphasis on ethical AI and data sovereignty also aligns India with European partners while building a Global South-focused innovation network.
Key Outcomes from the Bilateral Meetings
India–Spain:
Modi’s meeting with Sánchez focused on accelerating trade and investment in renewable energy, defence manufacturing, and agri-tech. Both sides discussed doubling bilateral trade and promoting ethical AI for sustainable development, aligning with the summit’s inclusive innovation theme.
India–Slovakia:
Talks with Pellegrini centred on technology transfers and industrial cooperation. Slovakia expressed interest in semiconductor manufacturing, digital infrastructure, and green-tech investments, positioning itself within India’s Central European supply-chain outreach.
India–Finland:
Modi and Orpo prioritised progress on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement and collaboration in 6G telecom, clean energy, and the circular economy. Finland’s strong innovation ecosystem makes it a potential Nordic gateway for India’s technology ambitions.
Collectively, the three meetings aimed to expand trade volumes, deepen AI and quantum research partnerships, and strengthen diversified supply chains.
Other Leaders Scheduled to Meet Modi This Week
In addition to the three European leaders, Modi is slated to meet 13 more heads of state and government during the summit:
· Tshering Tobgay – Bhutan
· Edmand Lara Montano – Bolivia
· Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva – Brazil
· Andrej Plenkovic – Croatia
· Alar Karis – Estonia
· Emmanuel Macron – France
· Kyriakos Mitsotakis – Greece
· Bharrat Jagdeo – Guyana
· Olzhas Bektenov – Kazakhstan
· Alois – Liechtenstein
· Navinchandra Ramgoolam – Mauritius
· Aleksandar Vučić – Serbia
· Anura Kumara Dissanayaka – Sri Lanka
These engagements collectively reflect India’s broad diplomatic outreach spanning Europe, Latin America, Central Asia, and the Indian Ocean region, with AI cooperation and investment flows at the core.
India’s Bid for Tech-Era Leadership
The summit-side diplomacy illustrates how India is integrating technology policy with foreign policy. By foregrounding ethical AI, supply-chain resilience, and innovation partnerships, New Delhi is attempting to shape global tech governance while attracting capital and expertise. If the trade expansions, research collaborations, and strategic partnerships discussed this week translate into concrete agreements, the AI Impact Summit 2026 could mark a defining moment—elevating India from a major technology market to a central architect of the global AI order.
(With agency inputs)
