Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the world wholeheartedly praised India’s potential during the recently concluded AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, highlighting the growing global confidence in the country’s young technology talent.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the summit demonstrated how the mindset of India’s youth in the field of technology would serve humanity at large. He described the event as historic and underlined the positive global response to India’s AI capabilities.

The AI Impact Summit 2026, organised in New Delhi last week, concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact. The declaration has been endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations, signalling broad global agreement on promoting artificial intelligence for economic growth and social welfare.

Broad global participation

The summit saw the participation of several prominent world leaders and top technology executives. Among those present were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Swiss President Guy Parmelin.

Other leaders attending the summit included Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic, Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Estonia President Alar Karis, and Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Chief executives and senior leaders from major global technology firms were also part of the gathering.

Focus on inclusive AI growth

Held under the theme ‘Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay’ (welfare for all, happiness of all), the summit aimed to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence while ensuring that AI development remains inclusive and sustainable.

The event brought together more than 500 international AI leaders. This included around 100 CEOs and founders, 150 academicians and researchers, and 400 CTOs, vice presidents and philanthropists. Additionally, over 100 government representatives and nearly 60 ministers and vice ministers participated in discussions.

The New Delhi Declaration seeks to strengthen international cooperation and ensure that AI technologies contribute to economic progress, social good and environmental protection.

The Maharashtra government has sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the plane crash that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar last month, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference on the eve of the state budget session, Fadnavis said the request for a CBI inquiry had been conveyed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He added that the move followed a letter from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), an ally of the BJP, demanding a central probe into the incident.

Multiple investigations underway

Fadnavis said investigations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are already in progress. The proposed CBI probe would run parallel to these inquiries to address any concerns surrounding the crash.

Ajit Pawar and four others were killed on January 28 when a chartered Learjet 45 aircraft crashed while attempting to land near Baramati in Pune district.

The chief minister said the government is committed to clearing all doubts related to the incident and will ensure regular follow-up of the investigations. He urged people to avoid speculation and wait for the official findings.

Allegations and political reactions

Rohit Pawar, nephew of the late NCP leader and a member of the NCP (SP), has raised allegations about the circumstances of the crash and suggested possible foul play. On Saturday, he wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the resignation of Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu until the inquiry is completed.

Rohit Pawar has also questioned the company VSR, which owned the ill-fated aircraft, and alleged links with the civil aviation minister.

Fadnavis said the DGCA is conducting an audit of the VSR company and examining its logbooks. He maintained that both the DGCA and the civil aviation ministry have nothing to hide.

Highlighting the broader implications of the incident, Fadnavis noted that the probe is important for ensuring the safety of political leaders, adding that he had travelled on the same VSR aircraft on several occasions.

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who was present at the press conference along with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, said the state government has formally requested a CBI probe and assured a thorough investigation.

The issue is expected to be discussed during the budget session of the Maharashtra legislature, amid sharp exchanges between the ruling alliance and the Opposition. The Opposition also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by the chief minister, citing concerns over the potential impact of the Indo-US trade deal on cotton growers and fisherfolk in the state.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said the organisation is not driven by any ambition for political power and is instead dedicated to uniting Hindu society and building individual character.

He made the remarks while interacting with nearly 950 national and international sportspersons at Madhav Kunj in Shatabdi Nagar, Meerut, as part of the RSS centenary outreach initiatives. According to participants present at the event, Bhagwat spoke for about 50 minutes and stressed the importance of social harmony and collective responsibility in nation-building.

Quoting Bhagwat, a participant said the RSS’ “sole objective is the organisation of the entire Hindu society and character-building of individuals,” adding that the organisation does not function in opposition to or competition with any specific group.

Emphasis on unity and cultural roots

Explaining his idea of India, Bhagwat said the nation goes beyond geographical boundaries and draws inspiration from figures such as Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Dayanand and Mahatma Gandhi, participants said.

He reportedly stated that the term “Hindu” reflects unity in diversity rather than caste identity. Differences in modes of worship and deities, he said, do not weaken society as long as cultural harmony is preserved. He added that whenever social unity declined, the country faced crises.

The RSS chief outlined four foundational pillars of society — value inculcation, Sanatan culture, the spirit of dharma and adherence to truth — reiterating that the Sangh’s mission centres on strengthening society through individual development. Volunteers, he said, are active across various spheres of social life and prioritise national interest.

Sports as a tool for nation-building

Addressing the athletes, Bhagwat described sports as a powerful medium for bringing people together. He said nation-building is not the responsibility of any single organisation but of society as a whole.

Referring to Meerut’s historic role in the First War of Independence in 1857, he said the legacy later inspired Keshav Baliram Hedgewar to establish the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 1925.

Bhagwat also shared five guiding principles for those interested in associating with the RSS — understanding the organisation from within, engaging with its affiliated bodies, supporting its programmes, maintaining dialogue and working selflessly for the nation. He also answered questions from athletes during the session.

Outreach events in Uttar Pradesh

Bhagwat is currently on a tour of Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, he attended a two-day outreach event in Lucknow on February 17 and 18 and had also visited Gorakhpur. During his stay in Lucknow, he briefly met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while both deputy chief ministers called on him before he left for Meerut.

Arjuna Award-winning wrestler Alka Tomar described the programme as grand and praised the organisational efforts of RSS volunteers. She said sportspersons must contribute to nation-building and appreciated Bhagwat’s emphasis on working in the national interest.

Para Cricket Club of India player Surya Pratap Mishra of Bareilly, selected for a Sri Lanka tour, said Bhagwat assured support for para athletes to help them enhance the country’s pride. Kabaddi coach Pintu Malik from Shukratal in Muzaffarnagar termed the interaction inspiring, especially the message that players should support one another.

Bhagwat reached Meerut on Thursday night and held breakfast discussions on Friday with representatives from the sports and industry sectors. On Saturday, he is scheduled to interact with members of the intelligentsia, including representatives from education, industry, medicine, literature, art and trade. Entry to the event is restricted to invitees with passes issued by the RSS headquarters.