INDIA

91 countries join New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact

Friday, 27 Feb, 2026
The AI Impact Summit was inspired by the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. (Photo courtesy: X@narendramodi)

New Delhi: The number of countries and international organizations joining the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact has reached 91, it was announced this week.

The ‘AI Impact Summit 2026’, held in New Delhi last week, concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact, marking a significant milestone in global cooperation on artificial intelligence.

“As of February 21, 2026, 88 countries and international organizations had endorsed this declaration. Since then, 3 more countries — Bangladesh, Costa Rica, and Guatemala — have joined the declaration, taking the total number of signatories to 91 countries and organizations,” said the Ministry of Electronics and IT.

The Declaration reflects a broad-based global consensus on leveraging AI for economic growth and social good. Guided by the principle of “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” (Welfare for all, Happiness for all), the Declaration underscores that the benefits of AI must be equitably shared across humanity.

According to an official statement, the Declaration emphasizes strengthening international cooperation and multi-stakeholder engagement; respecting national sovereignty; and advancing AI through accessible and trustworthy frameworks.

The Declaration highlights the role of AI in driving economic transformation; the importance of open-source and accessible AI ecosystems; the need for energy-efficient AI infrastructure; expanding AI’s role in science, governance, and public service delivery; and strengthening Global Cooperation.

“Robust digital infrastructure and meaningful and affordable connectivity are prerequisites for deploying AI and unlocking its full potential,” it said.

Inspired by the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), “we recognize the importance of enhancing the affordability of and access to AI resources that would be critical to enabling all countries to develop, adopt and deploy AI for the benefit of their citizens”.

The AI Declaration further stated that advancing secure, trustworthy and robust AI is foundational to building trust and maximising societal and economic benefits.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that, at the AI Impact Summit held in Delhi, India drew inspiration from its own civilizational impulse in putting forward its organizing ideas: sovereignty over data, inclusion by design, and accountability by default.