NEW DELHI (Feb 21, 2026) — On the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Secretary-General António Guterres held high-level talks focused on two critical pillars of the modern era: the democratization of Artificial Intelligence and the urgent restructuring of the UN Security Council.
Democratizing Artificial Intelligence
PM Modi articulated India’s MANAV (Making AI for All Nations and Values) Vision, emphasizing that technology must be “human-centric” rather than an instrument of control.
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Equity over Exclusion: Both leaders agreed that AI should close—not widen—the gap between developed and developing nations.
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UN Support: Guterres praised India’s leadership in inclusive technology, while Modi lauded the UN’s Independent International Scientific Panel on AI for promoting evidence-based governance.
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Digital Public Infrastructure: India’s “Technology with Trust” model was highlighted as a blueprint for global sustainable development.
Reforming the UN System
The dialogue shifted toward the “outdated” structures of the United Nations, with both leaders calling for a system that reflects 2026 realities rather than 1945.
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UNSC Reform: PM Modi reiterated that the Security Council’s credibility depends on expanding representation, particularly for the Global South.
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Multipolarity: Guterres echoed the need for a more responsive UN to tackle contemporary challenges like climate change and rapid technological disruption.
The Big Picture
The meeting signals a growing convergence between India’s role as a global tech convener and the UN’s mission for ethical governance. As the summit concludes, the “Modi-Guterres” consensus is expected to influence upcoming global norms on AI safety and multilateral diplomacy.
