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At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, global leaders praised India's AI innovations. PM Modi highlighted how AI is integrated with traditional sectors like agriculture and culture.
Bhopal, February 22, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, describing its recent protest at Bharat Mandapam, (stripping half-naked) in front of global leaders and industry representatives, as “undignified” and damaging to the country’s image. Addressing a public rally in Meerut, Modi heavily criticized the congress party indulging in Gandi aur Nangi rajneeti (dirty and naked politics). Modi expressed strong disapproval of what he termed as “shameful and unacceptable behaviour” at an event attended by international dignitaries and business leaders.
Later in his radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’ (119th episode), Modi focused on positive highlights at the AI Impact summit. India’s growing prominence in artificial intelligence drew significant appreciation from world leaders. Modi maintained that international leaders were “deeply impressed” by the country’s real-world AI innovations during the recently concluded India AI Impact Summit 2026. Modi described the summit as a defining moment that could reshape how the world harnesses artificial intelligence in the years ahead. Blending technology with tradition, governance with grassroots innovation, the Prime Minister used the address to underline how India’s AI journey is uniquely human-centric, rooted in agriculture, culture and citizen empowerment.
AI Meets Agriculture: Rural Innovation in Focus. Recalling moments that captured global attention at the summit, Modi said two exhibits stood out for visiting dignitaries. At the Amul pavilion, leaders witnessed how AI-powered tools are helping veterinarians detect diseases early and enabling farmers to track livestock health and dairy productivity round the clock. The technology allows real-time monitoring of cattle, predictive health alerts and productivity optimization, a transformation of India’s dairy backbone through digital intelligence. “This is not AI in laboratories alone,” Modi suggested, “this is AI reaching our villages.” Echoing this impact, Nandan Nilekani praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and execution, describing the AI Impact Summit as “fantastic” and noting that artificial intelligence will truly accelerate in India under a leadership that views technology as a tool to uplift the common man, workers and farmers. Nilekani also highlighted the Prime Minister’s push to expand AI applications beyond agriculture into dairy, adding that India is well positioned to demonstrate to the world how large-scale AI diffusion can meaningfully improve the lives of citizens — from farmers and students to patients
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Algorithms. The second innovation that drew widespread admiration was AI’s role in preserving India’s civilisational knowledge. Using advanced digitisation and language processing tools, ancient manuscripts and traditional texts are being converted into machine-readable formats and adapted for younger generations. Global leaders were intrigued by how India is merging centuries-old scholarship with cutting-edge computing — presenting heritage in a format that speaks to the digital age. Modi said many foreign delegates were fascinated to see how AI can become a bridge between tradition and tomorrow.
A Turning Point in Global AI Governance
The Prime Minister asserted that the summit marked a strategic shift in the global AI conversation. With heads of state, tech entrepreneurs, researchers, start-ups and philanthropists in attendance, the event showcased India not merely as a technology consumer but as a standards-setter in ethical and inclusive AI. According to Modi, the discussions reinforced India’s belief that AI must remain responsible, transparent and beneficial to society at large.
Warning against Digital Fraud: While celebrating technological strides, Modi struck a cautionary note on rising cases of online financial fraud and so-called “digital arrest” scams. The PM urged citizens not to ignore bank notifications seeking updated KYC details. “When banks ask for re-KYC, it is for your financial safety,” he said, appealing to people not to be irritated by compliance requirements, as these safeguards protect hard-earned savings.
Indian Roots Shine on Global Cricket Stage: The Prime Minister also highlighted how players of Indian origin are making their mark in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup. PM noted that Canada’s squad features several players with Indian roots, including captain Dilpreet Bajwa from Punjab and Navneet Dhaliwal from Chandigarh. Names such as Harsh Thaker and Shreyas Movva, he said, reflect a sporting bridge between India and the world. Several players in the United States team also trace their cricketing journeys to India’s domestic circuit.
Message to ‘Exam Warriors’. Addressing students appearing for board and final examinations, Modi reassured them that their self-worth extends far beyond marksheets. Calling them “exam warriors”, he encouraged them to trust their preparation and write confidently without fear of results defining their future.
Tributes and Cultural Revival: During the broadcast, the Prime Minister paid homage to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on her birth anniversary, recalling that “Amma” continues to live in the hearts of millions. He also spoke about Kerala’s historic Mamangam festival — often described as the “Kerala Kumbh” — which has witnessed revival after nearly 250 years, symbolising India’s enduring cultural spirit.
The Bigger Picture: Sunday’s address reflected more than a recap of a technology summit. It signalled India’s ambition to shape the future architecture of artificial intelligence, balancing innovation with inclusion, growth with governance, and modern computing with ancient wisdom. From dairy farms to digital archives, and from exam halls to global cricket stadiums, the message was clear: India’s technological leap is not confined to code, it is woven into society itself.