Delhi Gears Up for India AI Impact Summit as 6 PMs, 7 Presidents Confirm Attendance
Macron, Lula among global leaders set to shape Global South’s AI agenda from February 16–20
New Delhi will host at least six prime ministers, seven presidents, and two vice presidents at the India AI Impact Summit from February 16 to 20, positioning the event as the Global South’s largest AI convening to date.
Among the confirmed leaders are French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, both on state visits, alongside multiple heads of government attending on working visits.
A Global South AI Pitch
Anchored in three sutras—people, planet, and progress—the summit reflects India’s framework for international AI cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the summit on February 19. A leaders’ plenary session follows, culminating in a joint declaration on February 20.
More than 45 ministerial delegations will participate. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and senior officials from international organisations are also set to join discussions.
Officials say the final statement will articulate the Global South’s concerns and expectations on AI and outline a proposed path forward.
In short: Delhi is trying to reframe the AI debate beyond Silicon Valley and Brussels.
Who’s Attending
Confirmed leaders include:
- Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay
- Croatia PM Andrej Plenković
- Finland PM Petteri Orpo
- Greece PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis
- Estonia President Alar Karis
- Spain President Pedro Sánchez
- Switzerland President Guy Parmelin
- Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Disanayaka
- Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic
- Slovakia President Peter Pellegrini
- Netherlands PM Dick Schoof
- Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam
- Kazakhstan PM Olzhas Bektenov
- Guyana VP Bharrat Jagdeo
- Seychelles VP Sebastien Pillay
- Bolivia VP Edmundo Lara Montano
- Liechtenstein’s Hereditary Prince Alois
- Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Russia will be represented by Maxim Oreshkin, Economic Adviser to the President.
Beyond Optics: Strategic Stakes
India has steadily positioned itself as a digital policy bridge between developed economies and emerging markets. With AI projected to add trillions to global GDP over the next decade, governance frameworks remain fragmented.
The summit aims to influence how AI serves development priorities—agriculture, healthcare, climate resilience—rather than reinforcing big-tech concentration.
Can Delhi turn diplomatic momentum into durable AI governance norms?
Security and City Preparations
The scale of attendance has triggered extensive security planning.
- 10,000 Delhi Police personnel will be deployed.
- Key venues include Bharat Mandapam and Sushma Swaraj Bhavan.
- Civic upgrades are underway around summit sites.
For five days, the capital becomes a geopolitical AI control room—where code, policy, and diplomacy intersect.
TL;DR:
India will host six PMs and seven presidents, including Macron and Lula, at the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi from February 16–20. Framed around “people, planet, progress,” the summit aims to shape a Global South-led AI agenda and produce a joint declaration.
AI summary:
- 6 PMs, 7 presidents to attend India AI Summit.
- Macron, Lula on state visits.
- Over 45 ministerial delegations confirmed.
- Focus on Global South AI governance.
- 10,000 police deployed for security.
