Shaping Global AI Governance from the Global South: India and the AI Impact Summit 2026

Why in the News?

• India will host the AI Impact Summit 2026 from February 16 to 20, marking the first time this global AI governance forum is being held in the Global South.
• The summit aims to generate actionable, long-term policy recommendations rather than impose immediate binding regulations. It seeks to align AI governance with inclusive growth, sustainability, and social impact.

Background: Evolution of Global AI Summits

The AI Impact Summit builds upon a series of international meetings focused on governing artificial intelligence:

• Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit (2023): Focused on identifying catastrophic and existential AI risks.
• Seoul Summit (2024): Expanded the agenda to include innovation, inclusivity, and global participation.
• Paris AI Action Summit (2025): Shifted attention toward implementation, deployment, and economic opportunities.

Each iteration has gradually broadened the focus beyond safety toward practical, developmental, and governance challenges associated with AI adoption at scale.

India’s Distinct Approach

Unlike earlier summits centred primarily on regulation and risk containment, India is steering the discussion toward the triad of “People, Planet, and Progress.”

The emphasis is on:

• Developing AI solutions for real-world challenges
• Addressing developmental priorities of emerging and developing economies
• Promoting ethical, inclusive, and sustainable AI deployment

This approach reflects India’s dual role as both an emerging AI power and a representative voice of the Global South.

Through this summit, India aims to secure a larger role in shaping global AI governance frameworks and capturing greater economic and developmental benefits from AI technologies.

India AI Impact Summit 2026: What to Expect

Scale and Significance

Described by the Union IT Minister as the largest global AI gathering to date, the summit has attracted strong international interest.

High-Level Global Participation

• Representatives from over 100 countries
• 15–20 heads of government
• More than 50 ministers
• Over 40 CEOs from leading global and Indian companies

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the summit, host a leaders’ dinner, and address a CEO roundtable.

Diverse Stakeholder Engagement

Participants will include:

• Governments
• Industry leaders
• Researchers and academic institutions
• Civil society organisations
• International bodies

This multi-stakeholder format reflects the complexity of AI governance and development.

Key Themes and Deliberations

Working groups and sessions will address:

• AI’s impact on jobs and the future of work
• Trust, safety, and accountability frameworks
• AI applications across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, governance, and manufacturing

India’s AI Push and Model Launches

Under the ₹10,370 crore IndiaAI Mission, the government will launch several indigenous AI models during the summit, including:

• Foundational language models
• Small and specialised language models

These launches aim to strengthen India’s sovereign AI ecosystem.

Startup and Innovation Showcase

• Over 500 AI startups will be showcased
• Around 500 sessions will be hosted alongside the main programme

This makes the summit one of the most comprehensive global forums focused on artificial intelligence.

Opening Up to China at the AI Impact Summit

Chinese Participation

China is expected to send a delegation following a formal invitation from India, as both countries seek to strengthen domestic AI capabilities.

Summit Format and Diplomatic Discretion

The AI Impact Summit is not a formal multilateral grouping. Participation is determined by the host country, giving India discretion to invite China despite geopolitical sensitivities.

Precedents from Earlier Summits

• The UK invited China to the first AI Safety Summit despite opposition.
• China also participated in the Seoul and Paris summits.

Signal of Easing India–China Relations

India’s invitation reflects a gradual thaw in bilateral ties:

• Direct flights between India and China resumed earlier this year after a gap of over five years.
• China has begun clearing applications from firms supplying rare earth components to Indian automobile manufacturers, easing earlier trade restrictions.

Hardware and Energy: India’s Key AI Constraints

Dependence on Imported Computing Hardware

India lacks domestically produced advanced AI hardware, particularly high-end GPUs, making it dependent on imports and limiting strategic autonomy.

Hopes from India–US Technology Trade

The proposed interim India–US trade agreement is expected to:

• Expand trade in technology products, including GPUs and data centre equipment
• Deepen bilateral cooperation in advanced technologies

Policy Push for Data Centres

India has announced a tax holiday until 2047 for foreign companies setting up data centres, aiming to:

• Attract global investment
• Build domestic AI infrastructure

However, reliance on imported hardware continues.

Budget Signals and AI Mission

In the Union Budget 2026–27, the allocation for subsidising compute under the IndiaAI Mission was halved, even as electronics manufacturing and iPhone exports saw strong growth, indicating shifting fiscal priorities.

Energy Needs and Nuclear Power

Powering energy-intensive AI data centres is emerging as a critical challenge. The government is exploring nuclear energy as a long-term, stable solution for AI infrastructure.

Significance and Way Forward

Hosting the AI Impact Summit 2026 positions India as a central actor in shaping global AI governance from the perspective of the Global South.

It enables India to:

• Influence international AI norms and standards
• Promote inclusive and development-oriented AI frameworks
• Showcase indigenous AI capabilities and startups
• Strengthen technological diplomacy and strategic partnerships

However, to fully capitalise on this leadership role, India must:

• Reduce dependence on imported AI hardware
• Strengthen domestic semiconductor and GPU manufacturing
• Ensure reliable, sustainable energy supply for AI infrastructure
• Align regulatory frameworks with innovation and global best practices

If effectively leveraged, the summit could significantly enhance India’s role in the global AI economy and governance architecture.