Estonian President Alar Karis arrives in New Delhi for AI Impact Summit

India is hosting AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 16 to 20. During the four day summit, 500 events are scheduled across four venues. Now, Estonian President Alar Karis has arrived in the Indian capital to participate in the India AI Impact Summit. As reported by news agency ANI, Union minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse along with the senior officials from the Ministry of external affairs received Karis at the airport.

His visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties between India and Estonia, particularly in areas of digital governance and AI innovation.

Summit highlights

The India AI Impact Summit, hosted at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, has drawn over 20 heads of state and 60 ministers, alongside thousands of delegates from across the world. Discussions are focused on:

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• li1Job disruption and workforce transformation
• li1Public health applications of AI
• li1Child safety in digital environments
• li1Growing demand for data centers and infrastructure

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for AI to benefit “every citizen,” underscoring India’s ambition to build its own tech stack and lead in responsible AI deployment.

India–Estonia partnership

Estonia has a history of in digital governance and e‑residency programs. The participation of Karis is seen as Estonia’s interest in expanding cooperation with India in AI research, policy frameworks, and digital innovation ecosystems.

'Intelligence, rationality make technology useful': PM Modi highlighted public interest focus

PM Modi said that intelligence and rational thinking are key to ensuring that artificial intelligence works for the benefit of society, stressing that the India AI Impact Summit is centred on public interest.


In a post on X, he wrote, "Intelligence, rationality and decision-making make science and technology useful to the masses. The India AI Impact Summit also aims to see how AI can be used in the public interest. Service, hearing, grasping and holding. Knowledge of the meaning and knowledge of the truth are the attributes of intellect."


His remarks came a day after he inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He said that the event brought together innovators, researchers and technology enthusiasts, and showcased the potential of artificial intelligence and Indian talent.


Meanwhile, president and chief executive officer Mukesh Aghi highlighted India’s efforts to promote the democratisation and wider spread of artificial intelligence.