Delhi Declaration on AI to Be Released Today; 80 Countries Expected to Sign

New Delhi, February 21, 2026: The Delhi AI Impact Summit 2026 is set to release the Delhi Declaration on AI today, with 80 countries expected to sign, according to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. So far, 70 countries have already expressed their agreement.

Speaking at the summit’s closing press conference, Vaishnaw said, “Last year, the outcome document at the Paris Action Summit was signed by 60 countries. At the Delhi Summit, major nations have already signed, and we expect approximately 80 countries to endorse the declaration by the conclusion of the summit on February 21.”

Massive Participation at the Summit

The summit witnessed participation from over 5 lakh people, showcasing India’s capabilities as a major AI player. Vaishnaw highlighted that India plans to train 20 lakh youth in AI, with discussions ongoing with industry leaders to finalize the training format.

The minister also mentioned the Pax Silica Alliance as critical for a resilient supply chain, emphasizing that India is recognized as a trusted global partner in AI, data protection, and supply chain reliability.

Response to Youth Congress Protest

Vaishnaw referred to the Youth Congress protest at the summit, calling it “regrettable and absurd.” He said the youth rejected negativity and sent a message that the summit is for them, demonstrating their excitement and optimism about India’s AI ecosystem.

He also noted the government’s quick action against incidents that attempted to undermine genuine AI initiatives. This includes the controversy surrounding Galgotia University, which had claimed a Chinese robotic dog demo as its invention. The university was removed from the expo after the misleading video went viral.

India’s AI Leadership Recognized

Vaishnaw said, “Major AI players came together at this summit, and policy leaders were impressed by how India has integrated all dimensions of AI with limited resources.” He stressed that close cooperation with states will be essential to bring AI to every citizen.

On data protection, Vaishnaw highlighted India’s DPDP framework, noting that several countries have recognized it as a model and three nations have expressed their intent to follow India’s legal framework in their AI policies.