New Delhi

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said India’s human-centric framework for Artificial Intelligence, known as the “MANAV Vision,” received significant international support during the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Addressing reporters in the capital, Vaishnaw noted that global industry leaders and policymakers responded positively to India’s strategy of developing AI capabilities across five foundational layers, alongside building what he described as a “sovereign bouquet” of AI models.

According to the minister, several bilateral discussions during the summit highlighted surprise and appreciation for the quality of AI models developed by Indian engineers and researchers despite limited resources. He said this demonstrated the country’s strength in frugal innovation and technical capability.

Vaishnaw also emphasised the enthusiastic participation of young innovators at the summit and exhibition held at Bharat Mandapam. He described interactions with student developers and early-stage entrepreneurs as particularly encouraging, stating that youth engagement is essential for fostering optimism and confidence in emerging technologies.

The summit reportedly attracted over five lakh participants, with discussions spanning governance, ethics and technological advancement. Vaishnaw further pointed out that the involvement of approximately 2.5 lakh students in AI-related initiatives during the event resulted in a Guinness World Record, reflecting broad-based interest in India’s growing AI ecosystem.

Highlighting the Prime Minister’s role, Vaishnaw said Narendra Modi’s MANAV framework was well received globally and accompanied by multiple investment commitments, reinforcing India’s expanding role in shaping responsible AI development.

A day earlier, at the summit, Modi formally unveiled the MANAV Vision, presenting it as a comprehensive roadmap for ethical and inclusive AI governance.

Explaining the acronym, the Prime Minister said “M” represents moral and ethical foundations; “A” stands for accountable governance with transparent oversight; “N” refers to national sovereignty and ownership of data; the second “A” underscores accessibility and inclusivity; and “V” signifies validity and legal legitimacy.

Modi stated that the framework aims to guide the global AI landscape, stressing the importance of safeguards, especially for children.

Billed as the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South, the gathering underscored the transformative potential of artificial intelligence aligned with the philosophy of “AI for Humanity.” The event forms part of a broader international effort to enhance cooperation on AI governance, safety and societal impact.