New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the plenary session of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on Thursday, urging the global community to transform rapid technological disruption into a historic opportunity for humanity. Emphasizing ethical innovation and inclusive digital governance, he expressed confidence that the summit would help shape a responsible and human-centric global AI framework.
While his speech focused on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, it was the nameplate placed before him that generated widespread discussion. Instead of the word “India,” the placard read “Bharat,” drawing attention both domestically and internationally.
This is not the first time the country has been officially represented as “Bharat” on a global platform. During the G20 Summit in New Delhi, a similar “Bharat” nameplate was displayed. Invitations issued by President Droupadi Murmu to world leaders had also referred to the nation as “Bharat.” Additionally, a G20 booklet titled “Bharat, The Mother of Democracy” highlighted that “Bharat” is the country’s official name as mentioned in the Constitution and referenced in Constituent Assembly debates from 1946–48.
In his address, PM Modi stressed the importance of clarity and responsible governance in artificial intelligence, invoking the teachings of Gautama Buddha.
“India is the land of Buddha, and Lord Buddha said, ‘Right action comes from right understanding.’ It is important that we collectively create a roadmap that reflects the true impact of AI. True impact comes when right decisions are taken at the right time with the right intent,” he stated.
Drawing parallels with global cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Modi underscored how international collaboration can overcome even the most complex challenges. “From vaccine development to supply chain management and data sharing, cooperation delivered solutions when the world stood united,” he said.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 brought together prominent global leaders and industry experts. The opening ceremony was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, as well as representatives from leading global technology firms and the United Nations.
Beyond policy discussions, the “Bharat” nameplate symbolized an ongoing conversation about national identity and constitutional nomenclature, once again placing the country’s dual name — India and Bharat — in the international spotlight.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
