New Delhi: A series of high-level diplomatic and industry engagements marked the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding today bilateral meetings with leaders from Spain, Serbia and Finland, alongside a key interaction with Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
President of Spain Pedro Sánchez met Modi in New Delhi, where discussions focused on strengthening India–Spain cooperation across defence, security, and technology. The two leaders also highlighted the decision to mark 2026 as the India–Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and AI, an initiative aimed at enhancing cultural exchanges, travel partnerships and collaboration in emerging technologies.
In a post on X, Modi described the interaction as “productive,” noting that the initiative would deepen people-to-people ties. He also welcomed the presence of a large Spanish university delegation in India, emphasising the role of academic collaboration in building long-term partnerships. Referring to the recently concluded free trade agreement with the European Union, the Prime Minister said it would positively impact economic engagement with Spain and create new opportunities for businesses and citizens of both countries.
On the summit’s sidelines, Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić met Modi to review avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation. According to official updates, the leaders discussed collaboration in defence, manufacturing, digital public infrastructure (DPI), fertilisers and infrastructure development. Modi underlined the long-standing relationship between India and Serbia, expressing confidence that ties would gain further momentum.
Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also held extensive talks with Modi in Delhi. The leaders set an ambitious target of doubling bilateral trade, while exploring cooperation in next-generation sectors including 6G, innovation, clean energy, biofuels and the circular economy.
Modi thanked Orpo for his support for the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, calling it a step that ushers in a “golden era” in India–Europe relations.
Prime Minister of Croatia, Mr. Andrej Plenković also met his Indian counterpart on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit. Both leaders discussed bilateral partnerships in areas such as technology, innovation, shipbuilding, blue economy and boosting connectivity through the IMEEC corridor.
“Held fruitful discussions with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Mr. Andrej Plenković. We discussed how to add momentum to our bilateral partnership in areas such as technology, innovation, shipbuilding, blue economy and boosting connectivity through the IMEEC corridor. Also expressed gratitude for his personal support to the India-EU FTA, which will bring unprecedented progress for people in India as well as Europe,” Modi wrote on X.
Earlier in the day, technology and innovation remained a central theme as Google CEO Sundar Pichai met Modi. The interaction centred on India’s progress in artificial intelligence and potential areas of collaboration between Google and India’s student and professional communities.
“It was a delight to meet Mr. Sundar Pichai on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. Talked about the work India is doing in AI and how Google can work with our talented students and professionals in this field,” Modi said in a social media post.
The meetings come a day after Modi’s bilateral engagement with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai, reflecting the summit’s broader role as a platform for diplomatic dialogue, technology partnerships and global collaboration on AI and digital transformation.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 has drawn participation from world leaders, policymakers, industry executives and researchers, positioning the event as a key forum for discussions on responsible AI, technological innovation and cross-border cooperation.
