PM Modi urges India-focused AI innovation at Startup Roundtable in New Delhi
New Delhi, February 25. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 20 held a roundtable interaction with CEOs of leading AI and deeptech startups at Seva Teerth in the national capital, stressing the need to harness artificial intelligence for inclusive and India-centric development.
During the discussion, the Prime Minister explored how AI can be leveraged across sectors such as agriculture, environmental protection and the promotion of higher education in Indian languages. He emphasised the importance of robust data governance frameworks, warned against the dangers of misinformation, and called for solutions tailored specifically to India’s socio-economic realities.
Citing the success of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as an example of simple, scalable digital innovation, Modi expressed confidence in the capabilities of Indian enterprises and urged greater trust in homegrown products. He also highlighted expanding private participation in the space sector and pointed to strong investor interest in Indian startups as a sign of the country’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Founders and CEOs of 16 AI and deeptech startups showcased their work at the roundtable, representing sectors including healthcare, agriculture, cybersecurity, space and social empowerment, with a focus on delivering population-scale impact. The Prime Minister commended the innovators for taking bold risks and developing transformative solutions.
Industry leaders praised the government’s sustained push to strengthen India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, noting the sector’s rapid growth and vast untapped potential. They observed that global momentum in AI innovation and deployment is increasingly shifting towards India, which now offers a dynamic and supportive environment for technological advancement.
Participants also lauded the India AI Impact Summit, describing it as a reflection of India’s rising influence in shaping global conversations on artificial intelligence.
The meeting was attended by founders and executives from startups including Abridge, Adalat AI, BrainSightAI, Credo AI, Eka Care, Glean, Invideo and Miko, among others.