THE HEADLINES: –
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for developing collective resolve of AI for global common good at ongoing India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
- Prime Minister holds series of bilateral meetings with world leaders on sidelines of AI Summit to enhance cooperation in emerging technologies.
- French President Emmanuel Macron says, France and India to expand cooperation on Rafale aircraft with ‘Make in India’ at Core.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates 13th edition of Exercise MILAN-2026 at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh; Says this edition reflects India as trusted and responsible maritime partner.
- DRDO conductes qualification level load test of Drogue Parachute successfully for Gaganyaan programme.
- In ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, Zimbabwe register six wicket victory over Sri Lanka; West Indies defeat Italy by 42 runs; Third match between Afghanistan and Canada underway at Chennai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for developing a collective resolve of AI for Global Common Good. Inaugurating the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi in the presence of many world leaders Prime Minister Modi said in AI, India sees opportunity and the blueprint of tomorrow. He stressed on democratising AI saying it must become a tool for inclusion and empowerment, particularly for the Global South. Mr Modi said, the world is entering an era where humans and intelligent systems co-create, co-work and co-evolve. He said, AI will make the work smarter, more efficient and more impactful. Mr Modi said, India not only develops new technology but also adopts it rapidly. He said, India is the centre of the world’s largest tech pool.
Addressing the event, French President Emmanuel Macron said, India built something that no other country in the world has built.
Welcoming the world leaders attending the summit Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the government is working on all the 5 layers of the AI stack. He added that the government treats Compute as public good. Later the Prime Minister addressed the leader’s plenary at the Summit. He said AI technology should be accessible for all and it should be the goal of every nation. Addressing Leader’s Plenary at the India AI Impact Summit this afternoon, Mr Modi said, AI needs clear human values and guidance. He said, aspirational India has a big role in the global journey of Artificial Intelligence. Mr Modi said, looking at the history, humans have transformed every disruption into a new opportunity. We have more from our correspondent:-
“The fourth day of the India AI Impact Summit began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcoming global leaders and several tech leaders from across the globe. The leaders also came together for a ceremonial Family Photo, symbolising a shared commitment in shaping the future of artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Modi today formally inaugurated the AI Impact Summit marking a historic moment in India’s AI journey. With participation from over 500 AI leaders, more than 100 founders and Chief Executive Officers, 150 academicians and researchers, and nearly 400 Chief Technical Officer, Vice President, and philanthropists, the Summit has drawn unprecedented global engagement.The Government has said that the India AI Impact Expo will remain open till Saturday until 8 PM because of the overwhelming response from exhibitors, innovators, and visitors. Aman Yadav, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the ongoing India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Mr. Modi held a bilateral meeting with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the meeting, both leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in various fields.
Recalling the historical ties that underpin India-UAE ties, they also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in Artficial Intelligence. Prime Minister Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Netharlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof on the sidelines of the summit. During their meeting, both leaders exchanged views for harnessing AI as an enabler for economic and social transformation.
Mr Modi also met President of Switzerland Guy Parmelin on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026. During their meeting, they discussed strengthening collaboration in the economic sphere, including trade, investment and technology especially with the implementation of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.
The Prime Minister also held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart from the Hellenic Republic, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
<><><>
Big technology companies CEOs also attended the opening ceremony of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. In his address, Chairman of Tata Sons N. Chandrasekaran described AI as the next foundational infrastructure.
CEO of Anthropic Dario Amodei reflected on the pace of AI advancement since the first global AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in 2023.
In his address, CEO of Alphabet Sundar Pichai described AI as the biggest platform shift of a lifetime and underlined its potential to accelerate scientific discovery.
<><><>
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that both France and India want to expand cooperation on Rafale aircraft. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, President Macron said that a few days ago India confirmed its willingness to command a new bunch of 114 Rafale aircraft, and to co-produce them. He added that Make in India will be core in this new command. He said India and France share a special global strategic partnership that is unique for both countries.
<><><>
French President Emmanuel Macron since left for home, following his successful participation in the AI Impact Summit. In a social media post, the External Affairs Ministry said that President Macron’s visit is a defining moment as India-France ties are elevated to a Special Global Strategic Partnership.
<><><>
The government has announced the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at National Skill Training Institute in Kanpur. The centre will be established in collaboration with the Government of France under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme. The Prime Minister made this announcement during a joint press statement with the President of France while inaugurating the India-France Year of Innovation.
<><><>
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted a successful qualification level load test of Drogue Parachute for Gaganyaan programme in Chandigarh. The Ministry of Defence said the dynamic test, simulating qualification level loads which are higher than the maximum flight loads, shows the additional design safety margin of the parachute. The test was conducted yesterday with the Indian Space Research Organisation, Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, DRDO alongside various TBRL’s dedicated teams.
<><><>
The Election Commission has directed Chief Electoral Officers of 22 States and Union Territories to complete preparatory work related to the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has asked the CEOs of these states and UTs to complete the initial work saying that the SIR is expected to begin from April this year. The commisssion said that currently SIR is underway in 12 States and Union Territories.
<><><>
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 13th edition of Exercise MILAN-2026 today at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, marking the start of the premier multilateral naval exercise. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Singh said, this edition reflects the global maritime community’s confidence in India as a trusted and responsible maritime partner.
<><><>
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi called on Chief of Joint Operations, Australian Defence Force, Vice Admiral Justin Jones in Australia. The Army Chief was also briefed at the Joint Operations Centre on integrated command and control structures and real-time operational coordination. During the visit, General Dwivedi also met Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston. In a social media post, the Indian Army said that the interaction included an exchange of perspectives on Australia’s integrated theatre framework and the role of the Joint Operations Centre in enabling unified operational responses.
<><><>
In the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, Zimbabwe registered a six wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Group B match at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo this evening. Earlier, West Indies defeated Italy by 42 runs in their final Group C clash at Eden Gardens in Kolkata this afternoon. Put in to bat, West Indies posted 165 runs for six in 20 overs. Italy were all out for 123 in 18 overs.
In another match today, Afghanistan have set a target of 201 runs for Canada in Group D encounter at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Afghanistan scored 200 runs losing four wickets in 20 overs. In reply, Canada were 30 for two in 3.5 overs, when reports last came in. Canada won the toss and opted to bowl.
<><><>
In Women’s Cricket, hosts Australia defeated India by 19 runs in the second T20 International match in Canberra this evening.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN: –
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for developing collective resolve of AI for global common good at ongoing India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
- Prime Minister holds series of bilateral meetings with world leaders on sidelines of AI Summit to enhance cooperation in emerging technologies.
- French President Emmanuel Macron says, France and India to expand cooperation on Rafale aircraft with ‘Make in India’ at Core.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates 13th edition of Exercise MILAN-2026 at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh; Says this edition reflects India as trusted and responsible maritime partner.
- DRDO conductes qualification level load test of Drogue Parachute successfully for Gaganyaan programme.
- In ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, Zimbabwe register six wicket victory over Sri Lanka; West Indies defeat Italy by 42 runs; Third match between Afghanistan and Canada underway at Chennai.
<><><>