Macron, Lula among key leaders at India’s AI Impact Summit
French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are among several world leaders scheduled to attend the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Anchored around three “Sutras” — People, Planet and Progress — the summit seeks to define India’s approach to international cooperation on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The MEA said the event will bring together global leaders, policymakers, innovators and domain experts to deliberate on the future direction of AI governance and deployment.
At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several other heads of state and government are also expected to participate. These include Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
Other leaders slated to attend include Spain President Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Estonia President Alar Karis, Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Liechtenstein’s Hereditary Prince Alois, Slovakia President Peter Pellegrini and Switzerland President Guy Parmelin.
Vice Presidents Edmundo Lara Montano of Bolivia, Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana, Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia and Sebastien Pillay of Seychelles are also expected to attend.
According to the MEA, ministerial delegations from over 45 countries, along with the UN Secretary-General and senior officials from several international organisations, will participate in the summit.
The MEA had earlier announced that President Macron will arrive in India on February 17 for an official visit. During the visit, Macron and Prime Minister Modi are scheduled to hold discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation across sectors under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap. Macron will participate in the AI Impact Summit on February 19.
President Lula will be on a State Visit to India from February 18 to 22 and will take part in the AI Impact Summit on February 19–20.
— IANS
