New Delhi, Feb 17 (NationPress) The President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, touched down in New Delhi on Tuesday evening to participate in the AI Impact Summit 2026 taking place in the Indian capital.

Upon his arrival, he was welcomed at the airport by Raj Bhushan Choudhary, the Minister of State from the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that this visit by the Sri Lankan leader is expected to further enhance the strong and multifaceted partnership between the two neighboring nations, which is deeply rooted in shared cultural and social connections.

The office of the President of Sri Lanka indicated that as emerging technologies transform economies and societies, their involvement in the inaugural summit of its kind to be held in the Global South underscores the importance of the India–Sri Lanka partnership and the mutual dedication to fostering innovation that is inclusive, responsible, and focused on people.

This visit also builds on the significant State Visit made by Dissanayake in December 2024, alongside the joint vision established on December 16, 2024, titled 'Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future.'

Both Sri Lanka and India have been actively enhancing their collaboration in areas such as connectivity, economic engagement, digital cooperation, and enriching people-to-people ties.

According to a statement from the High Commission of Sri Lanka, “As a prominent leader from South Asia, the President’s engagement highlights the strength of our relationship and our commitment to collaboratively address future challenges. Founded on close proximity, bolstered by trust, and directed by practical cooperation, the India–Sri Lanka partnership is continually evolving with purpose.”

The AI Impact Summit 2026, hosted at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from February 16-20, convenes government policymakers, AI industry experts, academics, tech innovators, and civil society representatives from around the globe to advance international dialogue on artificial intelligence.

This summit aims to explore the transformative capabilities of AI in alignment with the national vision of 'Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya' (welfare for all, happiness for all) and the global principle of AI for Humanity.

The event is witnessing participation from over 110 countries, 30 international organizations, including approximately 20 heads of state/government and around 45 ministers.

This summit is the fourth in a series of AI summits that began at Bletchley Park in the UK in 2023, followed by events in South Korea in 2024 and France in 2025.

Concurrently, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, also arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday to attend the AI Summit.

He was greeted by Pabitra Margherita, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, upon his arrival at the airport.

The MEA stated, “His participation in the India-AI Impact Summit will further strengthen the robust friendship between India and Serbia.”