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India PM | February 18, 2026: Your Essential Daily Briefing on India's Prime Minister
The India PM Newsletter for February 18, 2026 covers PM Modi scheduled to inaugurate India AI Impact Summit 2026, extending Ramzan greetings, meeting Bhutan Prime Minister, Kazakhstan Prime Minister, Croatia Prime Minister, Estonia President, Serbia President, Finland Prime Minister, Spain President, Google CEO, and Founder of Sun Microsystems, while highlighting India’s role in global AI revolution and importance of complete scientifically grounded knowledge.
NEWS IN DETAIL
PM Modi To Inaugurate India AI Impact Summit 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit and inaugurate the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Along with the Prime Minister, the Opening Ceremony will also be addressed by the President of France, Secretary-General of the United Nations as well as various top industry leaders from across the world.
This will be followed by a visit to the India AI Impact Expo 2026 along with other leaders, where they will visit various country pavilions.
Prime Minister will then participate in the Leaders’ Plenary. It will bring together Heads of State, ministers, and senior representatives from multilateral institutions to outline national and global priorities on AI, including governance, infrastructure, and international cooperation.
Thereafter, Prime Minister will participate in the CEO roundtable. It will convene senior executives from global technology and industry firms with government leadership to discuss investment, research collaboration, supply chains, and deployment of AI systems.
Ahead of the inauguration of the India AI Impact Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed global leaders participating in the Summit at Bharat Mandapam on Wednesday evening. PM Modi also welcomed the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, and the Managing Director of IMF, Kristalina Georgieva.
The leaders were welcomed at the venue with the Indian Music and Dance. Prime Minister Modi also hosted a dinner for the global leaders.
The theme of India AI Impact Summit 2026 is सर्वजन हिताय, सर्वजन सुखाय i.e. welfare for all, happiness of all. It aims to position India as a leader in the field of AI and envisions a future where AI advances humanity, fosters inclusive growth, and safeguards our shared planet.
Seven Working Groups anchor the Summit, aligned to three pillars: People, Planet, and Progress. These groups will work on delivering concrete outcomes demonstrating AI’s impact across sectors. The seven themes are: AI for Economic Growth and Social Good; Democratizing AI Resources; Inclusion for Social Empowerment; Safe and Trusted AI; Human Capital; Science; Resilience, Innovation and Efficiency.
The five-day Summit opened on February 16, 2026, has brought together more than 500 Global AI Leaders, including CEOs/CXOs, around 100 CEOs and Founders, 150 Academicians and Researchers, and 400 CTOs, VPs, and Philanthropists. It also engages over 100 government representatives, including more than 20 Heads of State and Government and around 60 Ministers and Vice Ministers.
Prime Minister Modi Extends Ramzan Greetings
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday conveyed warm greetings to the people of India and the global community on the commencement of the holy month of Ramzan.
In a post on X, PM Modi said: “Ramzan Mubarak!
May this auspicious month further the spirit of togetherness in our society. May there be peace and prosperity everywhere.”
Bhutan Prime Minister Meets PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met with Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay who is visiting India to attend the India-AI Impact Summit 2026.
During the meeting, both leaders reviewed the progress in diverse areas of cooperation building on the outcomes of the highly successful visit of Prime Minister Modi to Bhutan in November 2025.
Prime Minister Tobgay thanked Prime Minister Modi for India’s support to Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan as well as the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advance cooperation in priority areas of energy, connectivity and development partnership.
In keeping with the high emphasis placed on harnessing new technologies for growth and prosperity by both India and Bhutan, the Prime Ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation in AI and digital technology space through mutual sharing of experience and expertise as well as joint development of AI solutions.
India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, based on trust, goodwill and understanding. The visit of Prime Minister of Bhutan is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan..
In separate posts on X in English and Dzongkha, PM Modi wrote: “The meeting with PM Tshering Tobgay was outstanding. We discussed how we can harness the power of AI for global good and in harmony with principles of sustainability.
Our enduring India-Bhutan friendship, rooted in mutual trust, goodwill and close ties between our two peoples, continues to guide our partnership into new and transformative domains. @tsheringtobgay”
PM Modi Meets Kazakhstan Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov in New Delhi on the margins of the AI Impact Summit.
Prime Minister Modi appreciated participation of Prime Minister Bektenov in the AI Impact Summit, which underscores the shared commitment of both nations to leverage technology for social good, and economic growth.
The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation in a range of fields, including political, trade, defence and security, connectivity, energy, emerging technologies, and people-to-people ties.
In separate posts on X in English and Kazakh, PM Modi wrote: “Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and I met earlier today. His visit will further deepen India-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership. There is immense scope for bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, critical minerals, rare earths, defence, connectivity and space. We will keep working together to take our friendship to new heights. @PrimeMinisterEn”
Prime Minister of Croatia Meets Prime Minister Modi
Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Both leaders discussed how to add momentum to our bilateral partnership in areas such as technology, innovation, shipbuilding, blue economy and boosting connectivity through the IMEEC corridor.
In separate posts on X in English and Croatian, PM Modi said: “Held fruitful discussions with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Mr. Andrej Plenković. We discussed how to add momentum to our bilateral partnership in areas such as technology, innovation, shipbuilding, blue economy and boosting connectivity through the IMEEC corridor. Also expressed gratitude for his personal support to the India-EU FTA, which will bring unprecedented progress for people in India as well as Europe. @AndrejPlenkovic”
President of Estonia Meets PM Modi
President of Estonia Alar Karis on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.
Both leaders talked about working together in futuristic technologies, energy management, skilling and more.
In separate posts on X in English and Estonian, PM Modi wrote: “Had an excellent meeting with President Alar Karis of Estonia, a nation which has made remarkable strides in tech and AI. Discussed how to add further vigour to our economic partnership, particularly in the context of the India-EU FTA, which is a historical agreement. We also talked about working together in futuristic technologies, energy management, skilling and more. @AlarKaris”
President of Serbia Meets Prime Minister
President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi.
Both leaders discussed ways to deepen cooperation in areas such as defence, manufacturing, DPI, fertilisers and infrastructure.
In separate posts on X in English and Bosnian, PM Modi said: “Met President Aleksandar Vučić on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit. We discussed ways to deepen cooperation in areas such as defence, manufacturing, DPI, fertilisers and infrastructure. For many years, India and Serbia have worked closely and I am confident our ties will gain even more momentum in the times to come. @avucic”
Prime Minister thanked President Vučić for his participation in the AI Impact Summit. He also recalled President Vučić’s last visit to India in 2017 to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit and his participation in the 2nd Voice of the Global South Summit held virtually in November 2023.
The two leaders discussed avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, AI, fin-tech, education, agriculture and people-to-people exchanges. They also shared views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They appreciated each others' support in the United Nations and other multi lateral fora.
Prime Minister of Finland Meets PM Modi
Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.
Both nations aim to double trade, thus giving a strong boost to economic linkages.
Both leaders discussed enhancing cooperation in futuristic technologies like 6G, innovation, clean energy, biofuels, circular economy and more.
In separate posts on X in English and Finnish, PM Modi said: “Held extensive discussions with the Prime Minister of Finland, Mr. Petteri Orpo.
Thanked him for his personal support to the India-EU FTA, which ushers in a golden era in India-Europe relations. India and Finland aim to double trade, thus giving a strong boost to economic linkages. We also talked about enhancing cooperation in futuristic technologies like 6G, innovation, clean energy, biofuels, circular economy and more. @PetteriOrpo”
President of Spain Meets Prime Minister
President of Spain Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Both leaders discussed ways to boost the India-Spain friendship, especially in areas such as defence, security, technology and more.
Both nations are marking 2026 as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and AI.
In separate posts on X in English and Spanish, PM Modi wrote: “Had a productive meeting with President Pedro Sánchez in Delhi. Discussed ways to boost the India-Spain friendship, especially in areas such as defence, security, technology and more. Our nations are marking 2026 as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and AI. This will deepen people-to-people linkages. Glad to see a big delegation of Universities also come to India. This too will go a long way in connecting our people.
The historic FTA with the EU will have a very positive impact on the economic partnership with Spain and provide new opportunities to the people of our nations. @sanchezcastejon”
Google CEO Meets Prime Minister
CEO of Google Sundar Pichai met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Wednesday.
In a post on X, PM Modi said: “It was a delight to meet Mr. Sundar Pichai on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. Talked about the work India is doing in AI and how Google can work with our talented students and professionals in this field. @sundarpichai”
Founder of Sun Microsystem Meets PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday interacted with founder of Sun Microsystem Vinod Khosla.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister and Mr. Khosla discussed various aspects relating to Artificial Intelligence and India’s vibrant StartUp ecosystem.
In a post on X, PM Modi stated: “It was wonderful interacting with Mr. Vinod Khosla earlier today. We discussed aspects relating to AI and India’s vibrant StartUp ecosystem. @vkhosla”
PM Highlights India’s Role In Global AI Revolution at AI Impact Summit In Interview
As India hosts the prestigious AI Impact Summit in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his vision on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence and India’s pivotal role in shaping the global AI revolution.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, the Prime Minister underscored India’s unique position as a hub of innovation, talent, and ethical leadership in the AI era.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote: “As India hosts the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, I’ve shared my thoughts on the transformative potential of AI, the role India can play in the AI revolution and more in this interview with ANI.”
PM Highlights Importance Of Complete, Scientifically Grounded Knowledge
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday shared a Sanskrit Subhashitam highlighting the importance of complete and scientifically grounded knowledge. Such a complete true wisdom leads an individual to fullness, Clarity and the supreme realisation of truth.
The PM quoted an ancient Sanskrit verse on X:
“ज्ञानं तेऽहं सविज्ञानमिदं वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः।
यज्ज्ञात्वा नेह भूयोऽन्यज्ज्ञातव्यमवशिष्यते।।”