India-Europe Ties Strengthen at the India AI Impact Summit 2026

The India AI Impact Summit 2026, held from 16 to 20 February at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marked a defining moment for India-Europe engagement on artificial intelligence. The summit — the first global AI gathering hosted in the Global South — brought together heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders and innovators to deliberate on AI's role in governance, innovation and sustainable development. Europe's participation stood out, with 26 European nations officially represented — the largest European delegation to any technology-focused event held in India. The scale of engagement underlined the growing strategic alignment between India and Europe on technology, talent mobility and responsible AI governance.

The launch of the European Legal Gateway Office marks a strategic initiative to connect India’s ICT talent with European opportunities, creating clearer pathways for professionals, students, and researchers while strengthening mobility and cooperation between the two regions.

Launch of the European Legal Gateway Office in India

A key outcome of the summit was the launch of the European Legal Gateway Office in India on 18 February 2026. The initiative was jointly inaugurated by Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and India's Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar. Originally announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the 16th EU–India Summit on 27 January 2026, the office aims to connect European companies with India's ICT talent base.

In his remarks at the launch, Dr. Jaishankar described the initiative as "a bridge between our societies, an expression of our trust, and an investment in a shared global workforce that is skilled, mobile and resilient". He noted that the office would serve as a trusted interface to help students, researchers and professionals understand opportunities, pathways and qualification frameworks across the European Union.​

Commissioner Magnus Brunner stated that the Legal Gateway Office "will play a key role in further connecting Indian ICT talent with the EU employers and higher education institutions" and "open new pathways for students, researchers, and professionals to EU Member States".​

EU Endorsement of the Leaders' Declaration

European Commission Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, represented the European Union and endorsed the Leaders' Declaration at the summit on behalf of the European Union. The declaration recognises that "AI's promise is best realised only when its benefits are shared by humanity". In doing so, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with India, promoting AI innovation and international cooperation, and advancing global AI governance.​

The European Union is advancing Frontier AI through new infrastructure, governance frameworks, and innovation challenges aimed at strengthening Europe’s leadership in next-generation artificial intelligence.

EU AI Office Sessions and the Frontier AI Grand Challenge

The EU's AI Office hosted two panel sessions at the summit. The first focused on the use of AI for public-sector innovation, with references to EU initiatives such as AI Factories — shared infrastructure aimed at supporting AI development and testing. The second addressed governance of advanced AI systems and presented the EU's General-Purpose AI Code of Practice, a voluntary framework to help developers align with EU rules. Both sessions featured remarks from Executive Vice-President Virkkunen and were moderated by Lucilla Sioli.​

Additionally, Virkkunen launched the Frontier AI Grand Challenge, an EU-wide flagship competition aimed at driving the development of sovereign, large-scale European AI models. The European Commission also launched two calls for expression of interest under its Apply AI Strategy — one inviting healthcare organisations across Europe to join a network of AI-powered advanced screening centres, and another inviting European AI actors to participate in an expert forum on frontier AI.

India and France elevate their strategic partnership in 2026 with new collaborations in AI, digital sciences, and innovation.

India-France: A Special Global Strategic Partnership

France's engagement at the summit was particularly significant. President Macron visited India from 17 to 19 February 2026 and participated in the AI Impact Summit alongside Prime Minister Modi. On 17 February, the two leaders jointly inaugurated the 2026 India-France Year of Innovation in Mumbai.​

Both leaders agreed to elevate India-France relations to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership" — a step that reflects shared ambitions on security, technology and global governance. They also announced the launch of an Indo-French Centre for AI in Healthcare, involving Sorbonne University, AIIMS New Delhi and the Paris Brain Institute. A binational centre on digital sciences and technology — a collaboration between INRIA and India's Department of Science and Technology — was also announced.​

President Macron stated at the summit, "We are determined to continue to shape the rules of the game... with our allies such as India," adding, "Europe is not blindly focussed on regulation – Europe is a space for innovation and investment, but it is a safe space".​

Bilateral Engagements With Other European Leaders

Prime Minister Modi held bilateral meetings with several European leaders on the sidelines of the summit. In his meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, both leaders called for doubling bilateral trade and greater technology collaboration, including in quantum computing, 6G, renewables, circular economy and defence. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković discussed strengthening cooperation in technology, innovation, shipbuilding, blue economy and connectivity through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Modi discussed early implementation of the India-EU FTA and enhanced connectivity through IMEEC. Prime Minister Modi also welcomed Switzerland's initiative to host the next global AI summit.

Shared Vision for Responsible and Human-Centric AI

Throughout the summit, European and Indian participants emphasised a shared commitment to human-centric, responsible AI. Brando Benifei advocated for a risk-based regulatory approach and stressed that "without trust, democratic adoption of AI is impossible". Italy's Ambassador Antonio Bartoli noted, "It is in the interest of a country like mine, Italy, and of Europe to partner with India because we share a common human-centric approach".

Executive Vice-President Virkkunen remarked, "Every day, Europe is getting closer to becoming an AI Continent. The European Legal Gateway Office in India will increase the attractiveness of the European Union for talent; new calls and grand challenges will strengthen European capabilities in AI".​

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 has set a clear trajectory for India-Europe cooperation on AI — anchored in talent mobility, joint innovation, responsible governance and shared strategic priorities.