UNITED NATIONS, Feb 15: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised India as a “very successful” emerging economy with growing global clout, calling it the “right place” to host the India AI Impact Summit 2026 (Feb 16-20)—the first major AI event in the Global South guided by ‘People, Planet, Progress’ principles.
In a PTI interview ahead of his Delhi visit, Guterres stressed AI must benefit all humanity, not just developed nations or US-China rivalry: “It’s absolutely essential that AI develops to the benefit of everybody, everywhere… India ensures Global South inclusion.” He congratulated PM Modi and organizers, joined by leaders like Macron, Lula, Pichai, and Narayen.
Guterres advocated true multipolarity over hegemony or bipolarity, spotlighting India-EU trade pacts and networks among emerging economies. “India is one of the most relevant… at the centre of this networking,” he said, voicing frustration with UNSC paralysis and pushing reforms for post-WWII representation.
He lauded India’s civilizational influence from ancient times across Asia and Mediterranean, calling visits “fantastic” to its diverse democracy. Guterres will discuss with Modi, meeting UN’s Turk and Gill.
