‘Over $200 Billion Investment Expected’: Vaishnaw On India’s AI Push

Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 14:04 IST

The minister noted strong interest from global CEOs, particularly in deep tech startups and infrastructure projects.

Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said India is expecting more than USD 200 billion in investments over the next two years, underscoring growing global interest in the country’s artificial intelligence and deep tech ecosystem.

“There are two types of interest. The first type is investment. There is an expectation of more than 200 billion dollars in investment over the next two years. The second type is deep tech funding by VC. And the third type is India’s innovativeness and India’s digital public infrastructure," Vaishnaw told ANI on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Elaborating on how India’s digital framework is accelerating adoption, he said, “Because of the digital public infrastructure, there is a very good technology framework under the leadership of the Prime Minister. Because of this framework, the diffusion of AI in India can be accelerated. This is what everyone believes."

The minister noted strong interest from global CEOs, particularly in deep tech startups and infrastructure projects. “A lot of interest in investing in India, especially in the Indian deep tech startups, in the infra, also in finding new solutions at population scale. Because the way our Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created this digital public infrastructure in our country, that brings out a huge advantage for any solution which needs to be brought at a population scale," he said.

Highlighting the enthusiasm around the summit, Vaishnaw said participation has been overwhelming, especially among youth and researchers. “There is a lot of excitement in AI Summit. More than 300,000 youth and researchers and students have registered. And all the sessions are going full. They are houseful. There is a lot of excitement, And especially among the youth. Through this summit, there is a new energy all over the country. By using AI, how to solve big problems on a population scale, such excitement is seen here among the youth," he said.

He also emphasised the need to balance innovation with safeguards. “By balancing these two, we have to move forward with this new technology," he noted, referring to solving large-scale economic and social challenges while mitigating risks.

The India AI Impact Summit has brought together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and innovators to discuss leveraging artificial intelligence for economic growth and social transformation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to deliver the inaugural address on Thursday, setting the tone for enhanced global cooperation and India’s vision for inclusive and development-focused AI.

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