Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof has lauded India’s rapid progress in artificial intelligence, describing AI as “booming” in the country during his visit to the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam.

Speaking about his engagements, Schoof said he interacted with experts on AI technology and policy and discussed India’s growing role in shaping global AI developments. He emphasised the importance of cooperation among “middle powers” to responsibly accelerate AI innovation and bridge the gap between the Global North and South.

During the visit, Schoof participated in discussions on international collaboration in AI, including a session titled “Bending the Bell Curve: How can Middle Powers Shape Global AI Power?” He also attended meetings with representatives from government, industry and civil society to explore responsible deployment of emerging technologies.

Earlier, Schoof was received in New Delhi by Minister of State Jitendra Singh. The Ministry of External Affairs, India noted that his participation in the summit would further strengthen bilateral ties between India and the Netherlands.

The summit, being held from February 16 to 20, has brought together global policymakers, technology leaders, researchers and startups to discuss the future of AI and its societal impact. It is being positioned as the first major global AI gathering hosted in the Global South, focusing on inclusive and responsible innovation.

On the sidelines of the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with several international leaders and industry executives, including Sundar Pichai of Google, highlighting the summit’s role as a platform for both diplomatic engagement and technology collaboration.

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Officials said the discussions underscored a shared commitment to leveraging AI for economic growth, innovation and public good, while ensuring ethical and cooperative global governance of the technology.

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