“India Must Create, Not Just Consume AI,” Says PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined an ambitious strategy to position India among the world’s top three artificial intelligence powers, asserting that the country must become a creator of advanced technologies rather than merely a user.
Addressing a gathering focused on emerging technologies, the Prime Minister said India’s digital transformation is rooted in the principle of self reliance. He stressed that the country’s technological progress must be guided by sovereignty, inclusivity and innovation. According to him, India’s goal is to write its own digital future by developing indigenous AI systems tailored to domestic needs and global applications.
A central pillar of this roadmap is the creation of AI models capable of serving billions of people in their native languages. Modi said such tools would reflect Indian values and expand access to digital services across diverse linguistic communities worldwide. He expressed confidence that Indian startups in the AI sector could achieve global scale, generate significant economic value and create millions of high quality jobs.
Highlighting the economic potential of artificial intelligence, Modi said India’s youth have the capacity to design solutions suited to farmers, micro and small enterprises, women entrepreneurs and grassroots innovators. He emphasised that innovation must address real world challenges and strengthen inclusive growth.
To support this shift from participation to leadership, the government is investing in robust infrastructure and policy frameworks. The Union Budget 2026 includes measures to expand data centres, strengthen cloud infrastructure and increase domestic computing capacity. Plans also focus on high performance computing access for startups and research institutions, promotion of semiconductor manufacturing through production linked incentives and the establishment of Centres of Excellence dedicated to AI research.
India’s growing role in global AI discussions was underscored by the AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, which brought together world leaders and technology experts. Ranked third in the Stanford Global AI Vibrancy Index 2025, India aims to shape the global AI agenda through ethical, inclusive and development oriented innovation.