Artificial Intelligence – India Unveils MANAV Vision for Ethical AI Future
Artificial Intelligence – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday presented India’s comprehensive roadmap for responsible artificial intelligence, placing ethics, accountability and inclusion at the heart of emerging technologies.-
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described India’s newly articulated AI framework, MANAV, as a guiding force for a secure and reliable technological future. His remarks followed the formal unveiling of the vision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam.
A Framework Rooted in Ethics and Sovereignty
The MANAV vision outlines five foundational principles intended to shape the development and deployment of artificial intelligence. The acronym represents Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive technology, and Valid and Legitimate systems.
According to the government, the framework is designed to ensure that AI systems remain transparent, lawful and aligned with human values. Shah said the initiative provides direction for a “fool-proof future,” suggesting that India’s approach could influence global standards in AI governance.
The emphasis on national data sovereignty reflects growing international concerns over data ownership and digital security. By highlighting accountability and ethical safeguards, the vision aims to build trust in rapidly advancing AI technologies.
Summit Draws Global Attention
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 brought together policymakers, technology leaders and researchers from across the world. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi described artificial intelligence as a transformative chapter in human history and called for its responsible use.
He underlined the need to democratise AI so that it benefits developing nations as much as advanced economies. “AI must serve inclusion and empowerment,” he said, noting that innovation should align with broader social goals rather than narrow commercial interests.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister joined world leaders and industry executives for a group photograph, marking what organisers described as a milestone moment for the summit.
Bilateral Meetings on Technology and Trade
On the sidelines of the event, Prime Minister Modi held discussions with several global leaders, including Dick Schoof, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Guy Parmelin, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Emmanuel Macron.
The meetings focused on expanding cooperation in sectors such as semiconductors, green hydrogen, digital infrastructure and strategic trade. In a social media post, Modi said his conversation with the Dutch Prime Minister covered partnerships in semiconductor manufacturing, large-scale water management projects and clean energy initiatives.
Officials indicated that technology collaboration formed a central theme of these discussions, reflecting AI’s growing role in economic and geopolitical strategy.
India’s Expanding AI Infrastructure
Highlighting domestic preparations, the Prime Minister said India has significantly strengthened its AI capabilities under the national AI mission. Currently, 38,000 graphics processing units are operational, with an additional 24,000 expected to be added within six months.
He also pointed to the launch of AIKosh, a national dataset platform that has made thousands of datasets and hundreds of AI models available as shared digital resources. The government says the initiative aims to support startups and researchers by providing affordable access to computing power and quality data.
Modi stressed that India’s large youth population and expanding technology ecosystem position the country as a key contributor to the global AI landscape. He noted that millions of citizens are ready to adopt emerging technologies at scale.
Call for Global Standards and Shared Responsibility
During the Leaders Plenary Session, the Prime Minister proposed the creation of a trusted global data framework and transparent safety norms to ensure responsible AI deployment. He described artificial intelligence as a shared global resource that should advance collective welfare.
He urged nations to embed human values into AI systems and maintain oversight mechanisms that prevent misuse. According to him, innovation must move forward alongside trust.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being viewed as the first major AI gathering hosted in the Global South. By placing ethics and inclusion at the centre of its strategy, India has positioned itself as an advocate for balanced technological progress.