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New Delhi, February 17: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka is set to arrive in India today to participate in the India AI Impact Summit 2026, a major international event focused on the future of Artificial Intelligence and responsible AI governance.
The visit was confirmed by Mahishini Colonne, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in India, who described the summit as the first AI summit of its kind to be hosted in the Global South.
Sri Lanka’s Participation Reflects Strong India-Sri Lanka Partnership
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Mahishini Colonne stated that Sri Lanka’s presence at the summit highlights the depth of the India–Sri Lanka partnership, especially at a time when emerging technologies are rapidly transforming economies and societies.
She said the participation of President Disanayaka reflects a shared commitment between India and Sri Lanka to ensure that innovation remains inclusive, responsible, and people-centred.
Visit Builds on December 2024 State Visit and Joint Vision
The High Commissioner also noted that the President’s participation builds upon his landmark State Visit to India in December 2024, during which both nations announced a joint vision titled:
“Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future.”
She added that the partnership between India and Sri Lanka has sustained strong momentum in areas such as:
- Connectivity and infrastructure cooperation
- Economic engagement
- Digital cooperation
- Capacity building
- People-to-people ties
Several Global Leaders to Attend India AI Impact Summit 2026
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will be attended by several Heads of State and Government from across the world.
Leaders expected to participate include:
- Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay
- Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
- France President Emmanuel Macron
- Finland PM Petteri Orpo
- Spain President Pedro Sanchez
- Switzerland President Guy Parmelin
- Netherlands PM Dick Schoof
- UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- And many more global representatives
What is the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 aims to strengthen global dialogue and cooperation on:
- Responsible AI governance
- Innovation ecosystems
- Digital public infrastructure
- Climate-conscious technology
- Equitable access to emerging technologies
The summit is designed not just for discussion, but also to produce tangible outcomes that support economic growth, social development, and sustainable AI adoption.
Summit Based on Three Pillars: People, Planet and Progress
The summit is structured around three key pillars:
1. People
Focused on employment, skilling, and how AI is impacting professions.
2. Planet
Focused on sustainable, energy-efficient AI and climate-friendly technology.
3. Progress
Focused on AI-led economic and social development, including digital public goods.
Working Groups to Deliver Concrete AI Proposals
Seven thematic working groups, jointly co-chaired by representatives from the Global North and Global South, are presenting key proposals including:
- AI Commons
- Trusted AI tools
- Shared compute infrastructure
- Sector-specific AI use-case compendiums
Sessions are also discussing AI safety, ethical use, data protection, and India’s approach to sovereign AI, including development of indigenous foundation models for strategic sectors.
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