At the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on 19 February 2026, Narendra Modi presented the MANAV vision for artificial intelligence. The address linked AI development with ethics, accountability, national sovereignty, access and legitimacy.
This report covers the proposals made at the summit. It does not treat those proposals as proof that every participating organisation has implemented them.
Where and when was the summit address?
Modi inaugurated the event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The official inauguration summary sets out the event and its central themes.
What does MANAV mean?
| Letter | Theme in the address |
|---|---|
| M | Moral and ethical systems |
| A | Accountable governance |
| N | National sovereignty |
| A | Accessible and inclusive |
| V | Valid and legitimate |
The framework presents AI as a technology whose development should include social responsibilities and broad access, alongside technical capability.
Three proposals in the leaders’ plenary
In a separate leaders’ plenary address, Modi proposed a trusted global data framework, transparent safety rules and the inclusion of human values in AI systems.
These points address different questions: whether data can be trusted, whether system behaviour can be scrutinised, and how people remain central to decisions involving AI. They are policy proposals, not a certification that a particular AI product is safe or suitable for every use.
Why the distinction between a vision and implementation matters
To evaluate progress after a summit, look for published standards, named responsibilities, accessible services and evidence from deployment. A speech establishes priorities; implementation requires separate evidence.
Related Indian AI coverage
Read our Sarvam AI explainer for background on a company working on Indian-language AI. For another February diplomatic event, see the Modi–Macron Mumbai meeting outcomes.
