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.

India on Saturday said it is closely examining the implications of a recent ruling by the US Supreme Court that struck down former US President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs.

In its initial response, the Commerce Ministry said it has taken note of both the court’s judgement and subsequent announcements made by the US administration.

“We have noted the US Supreme Court judgement on tariffs yesterday (Friday). US President Donald Trump has also addressed a press conference in this regard,” the ministry said.

“Some steps have been announced by the US administration. We are studying all these developments for their implications,” it added.

What did the US Supreme Court rule?

On Friday, the conservative-majority court ruled 6–3 that a 1977 law relied upon by Trump to impose sudden tariffs on individual countries does not authorise the President to impose such sweeping duties.

The judgement marked a significant setback to Trump’s tariff policy, which had reshaped trade relations with several countries.

Responding to the ruling, Trump criticised members of the court, saying he was “ashamed” of certain justices and describing the verdict as disappointing.

Fresh tariffs under Section 122

Following the court’s decision, Trump announced new tariffs using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The provision allows the US President to impose temporary tariffs of up to 15 per cent for a maximum period of 150 days to address large and serious balance-of-payments deficits.

Under this route, a new 10 per cent global tariff has been imposed on imports into the United States. Trump said the revised order would be effective almost immediately.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking at the Economic Club of Dallas, said the alternative mechanism would result in virtually unchanged tariff revenue in 2026.

Impact on India

Under the revised order, India faces a tariff rate of 10 per cent, reduced from the earlier 18 per cent under Trump’s broader tariff framework.

The new duty is scheduled to take effect from February 24 for a period of 150 days. Exemptions will continue for sectors subject to separate investigations, including pharmaceuticals, as well as goods entering the US under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement framework.

India has not announced any retaliatory measures and has indicated that it is currently assessing the trade and economic implications of the US decisions.