Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a powerful roundtable with leaders of India’s most innovative AI and deeptech startups on February 20, 2026, at Seva Teerth in New Delhi. The session formed a core part of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, reinforcing India’s commitment to nurture homegrown technology, solve societal challenges, and elevate global competitiveness in artificial intelligence.
The atmosphere buzzed with urgency and optimism as founders and CEOs from diverse sectors — healthcare, agriculture, cybersecurity, space technology, enterprise software, and ethical AI — shared breakthroughs and explored new frontiers. Participants discussed real-world problems that AI startups are uniquely positioned to tackle, while Modi’s leadership framed the conversation around responsible growth, national strength, and global influence.
A Gathering of AI Innovators
Modi invited dozens of startup founders whose ventures span multiple fields. Names present included Abridge, Adalat AI, BrainSightAI, Credo AI, Eka Care, Glean, Innogle, Invideo, Miko, Origin, Prophaze, Rasen, Rubrik, SatSure, Supernova, and Sypha AI — reflecting the breadth and ambition of India’s deeptech ecosystem. Senior officials including Principal Secretary P K Mishra, Shaktikanta Das, and Minister of State Jitin Prasada participated to ensure strong alignment between government strategy and entrepreneurial energy.
The meeting drew attention not just for who attended, but for what was shared. Rather than surface-level platitudes, this roundtable became a detailed exchange of ideas, grounded in practical, technology-led solutions with measurable impact across India’s vast population.
Emphasis on Real-World Impact
In healthcare, startups described using AI to improve diagnostics, accelerate gene therapy research, and streamline patient records to extend lifeline quality care into rural areas. Speakers highlighted early success in bridging access gaps and reducing diagnostic delays in underserved regions.
Agricultural innovators unveiled tools that integrate geospatial and underwater intelligence to forecast crop yields, manage climate risk, and optimize soil health. These technologies aim to shift farming from tradition-dependent practice to data-driven productivity, boosting farmers’ incomes while protecting the environment.
Cybersecurity ventures stressed machine-learning approaches to detect advanced threats, while space tech startups laid out roadmaps for satellite-based observations that can track environmental changes or enable remote connectivity. Enterprises also showcased systems that modernize legacy infrastructure, reduce operational friction, and unlock efficiency across industries.
Leaders of ventures committed to ethical AI and vernacular access underscored the societal role of technology. These startups develop tools that expand access to justice, improve education in regional languages, and reduce bias, pointing out that AI must reflect India’s linguistic and cultural diversity to truly empower citizens at scale.
Modi’s Strategic Vision
Throughout the dialogue, Prime Minister Modi steered the conversation toward a broader roadmap for India’s tech future. He praised the founders for their bold risk-taking and urged them to build with global ambition rooted in local relevance. He insisted that innovative solutions must align with India’s long-term priorities — from security and sustainability to equitable development.
One of Modi’s central points was the need for strong data governance. He emphasized that nations should retain control over citizens’ data and ensure privacy, transparency, and accountability as AI systems scale. He warned against misinformation and harmful misuse of AI, urging leaders to anchor technology in trust and public good.
Modi also linked homegrown innovation to the success of transformative projects like Unified Payments Interface (UPI) — India’s digital payments infrastructure. He used UPI as a model of simplicity, scalability, and trust, encouraging startups to replicate such digital models across sectors.
Language, Education, and Inclusion
A standout theme in the discussion was the importance of language tech. India’s many mother tongues represent both a challenge and an opportunity for digital inclusion. Modi called for more AI tools that work in regional languages, especially in higher education and public services, to widen access to knowledge and economic opportunity for all Indians.
This focus on inclusivity extended to education at large. By encouraging innovations that uplift vernacular learning and bridge literacy gaps, the Prime Minister signaled that India’s AI future must benefit every strata of society rather than reinforce existing divides.
Boosting Investor Confidence
The roundtable also aimed to inspire investor confidence in India’s startup landscape. Modi noted growing interest from domestic and international capital, particularly in sectors like AI infrastructure, space technologies, and climate tech. He encouraged private participation and highlighted government efforts to create an enabling environment for investment, research, and scale.
Participants responded positively to the supportive tone, describing their ecosystem as dynamic, resilient, and increasingly attractive to venture capital. They saw the India AI Impact Summit as a sign that India is shifting from being a consumer of technology to a leader in global AI innovation.
Charting the Future
As the roundtable concluded, it became clear that India’s AI and deeptech ambitions stretch far beyond today’s headlines. The message resonated both locally and internationally: build with purpose, govern with care, and scale with global impact. Startup founders left the meeting with clear priorities — deepen focus on mission-driven goals, embrace responsible innovation, and expand into markets that value reliable and ethical AI solutions.
From precision agriculture to ethical algorithms and secure digital infrastructure, India’s startup leaders appear poised to translate vision into reality. With government backing, rising investor interest, and a massive domestic market hungry for solutions, the country stands at the threshold of a new era of innovation led by data, creativity, and collaboration.
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