Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 in New Delhi, emphasizing India’s pivotal role in establishing a global framework for artificial intelligence (AI). He advocated for an AI approach that is both ethical and human-centric, noting that policymakers are actively developing a comprehensive governance policy. A major announcement from the Prime Minister was India’s plan to host the Global AI Summit in February 2026.
India’s Progressive AI Governance Framework Takes Shape
During his address at ESTIC 2025, Prime Minister Modi underscored the government’s dedication to fostering an environment conducive to research, aiming to cultivate a thriving innovation ecosystem. To bolster this vision, he inaugurated the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund, backed by a substantial corpus of Rs. 1 lakh crore. This initiative is designed to stimulate and support a private sector-led R&D landscape across India.
The Prime Minister also shared his insights on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “India is rapidly building a vibrant ecosystem for research and development. Addressing the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave in New Delhi.”
Highlighting his expansive vision for AI, PM Modi recognized its broad applications spanning retail, logistics, customer service, and education. He stressed the importance of grasping AI’s profound transformative capabilities while simultaneously ensuring its deployment remains ethical and inclusive.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister disclosed that the government is actively developing an AI Governance Framework. This framework will establish comprehensive guidelines for the technology, detailing both its potential opportunities and inherent limitations, with the policy anticipated to be released next year. He reiterated India’s commitment, stating, “India is shaping a global framework for ethical and human-centric AI.”
The national dialogue surrounding AI is gaining significant momentum, spurred by major investments. Google recently committed $15 billion (approximately Rs. 1.3 lakh crore) towards establishing an AI-focused data center in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has also pledged a similar commitment in India. Reinforcing these discussions, PM Modi announced that the Global AI Summit, set for February 2026, will be hosted in India, with its core objective being to accelerate the development of inclusive, ethical, and human-centric AI.
A video further detailing these initiatives was also presented during the conclave.