New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the plenary session of the AI Impact Summit, urging the global community to turn today’s
technological disruption into one of humanity’s greatest opportunities. He said he was confident the summit would play a key role in shaping a more ethical, inclusive and responsive digital future. Apart from his speech, another detail that drew attention was the nameplate on the table where he was seated. Instead of “India,” the placard displayed “Bharat.” This is not the first instance of the country being referred to as “Bharat” at an official international forum. During the G20 Summit in New Delhi, a “Bharat” placard was used, sparking widespread discussion. The term also appeared in invitations sent by Droupadi Murmu to world leaders, where “India” was replaced with “Bharat.” “Bharat” was also used in a G20 booklet meant for foreign delegates titled “Bharat, The Mother of Democracy.” The booklet stated: “Bharat is the official name of the country. It is mentioned in the Constitution as also in the discussions of 1946–48.” “It is believed that this summit will play a crucial role in building a human-centric, sensitive global AI ecosystem. If we look at history, we see that humans have transformed every disruption into a new opportunity. Today, we once again face such an opportunity. Together, we must transform this disruption into humanity’s biggest opportunity,” PM Modi said in his address at the plenary session. Invoking the teachings of Gautama Buddha, Narendra Modi stressed the need for clarity and timely decision-making in the governance of artificial intelligence. “India is the land of Buddha, and Lord Buddha said, ‘Right action comes from right understanding.’ Therefore, it is very important that we together create a roadmap that shows the true impact of AI. True impact comes only when one takes the right decisions at the right time with the right intention,” he observed. Drawing a parallel with recent global crises, Narendra Modi highlighted the spirit of international collaboration seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. “During the global COVID pandemic, the world saw that when we stand together, even the impossible becomes possible. From vaccine development to supply chains, from data sharing to saving lives, collaboration provided solutions,” he said. Earlier in the day, Narendra Modi took part in the opening ceremony of the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The event was also addressed by Emmanuel Macron, António Guterres, and several leading figures from the global technology industry, along with representatives of the United Nations. Earlier in the day, Narendra Modi attended the opening ceremony of the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The event was also addressed by Emmanuel Macron, António Guterres, and several leading figures from the global technology sector, along with representatives of the United Nations.
