Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Wednesday during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, where the two discussed expanding artificial intelligence collaboration and creating opportunities for Indian students and professionals. The interaction took place on the sidelines of the five-day summit being held at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to February 20.
Sharing details of the meeting, Modi said they discussed India’s ongoing AI initiatives and explored ways Google could partner with the country’s skilled youth in advancing innovation. The Prime Minister highlighted India’s growing AI ecosystem and emphasized the importance of industry collaboration in nurturing future-ready talent.
Pichai, who is visiting India to attend the summit and deliver the keynote address on February 20, expressed enthusiasm about returning to the country. He noted the warm reception and acknowledged the strong interest surrounding the summit’s discussions on AI.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 has drawn policymakers, global technology executives, AI researchers, and civil society leaders to deliberate on the evolving role of artificial intelligence. Positioned as the first major global AI gathering hosted in the Global South, the summit aligns with India’s vision of inclusive technological advancement under the guiding principles of welfare, sustainability, and progress. Participation includes representatives from more than 110 countries and 30 international organizations, alongside around 20 heads of state or government and nearly 45 ministers.
In a separate interview, Modi highlighted AI’s transformative potential for India’s IT sector, which has long driven services exports and economic expansion. He noted projections indicating that India’s IT industry could reach $400 billion by 2030, fueled by AI-enabled outsourcing and domain-focused automation solutions.
Google has also outlined significant long-term investment plans in India. In October, the company announced a commitment of $15 billion over five years to establish a large-scale AI data center campus in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The facility is expected to become Google’s largest AI hub outside the United States. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian stated that the campus will begin operations with a capacity of 1 gigawatt and expand to multiple gigawatts over time, forming part of a global network of AI centers across 12 countries.
The engagement underscores deepening collaboration between India and global technology leaders in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
