Netherlands PM Schoof Hails India's AI Boom at Summit

New Delhi witnessed a significant moment for artificial intelligence as Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof lauded India's burgeoning AI landscape during his visit to the AI Impact Summit 2026. Attending the pivotal event at Bharat Mandapam, PM Schoof underscored India's crucial role in shaping the global AI future.

Acknowledging India's AI Momentum

In an X post on Wednesday, PM Schoof remarked, "AI is booming here in India." He elaborated on discussions with experts regarding AI technology, policy, and India's position on the world stage. His participation at the conference, which gathered representatives from government, business, and civil society, highlighted the shared global interest in AI development.

Call for International Cooperation and 'Middle Powers' Leadership

A key theme of PM Schoof's address was the imperative of international collaboration. He emphasized, "We discussed the importance of international cooperation among like-minded countries to responsibly accelerate the development of AI." Notably, he stressed the pivotal role of "middle powers" in bridging the divide between the Global North and South, stating, "Middle powers need to take the lead on this, serving as a bridge between the Global North and South. That is where our strength lies, also as the Netherlands."

These remarks were delivered during the AI Safety Connect Day at the 'Bending the Bell Curve: How can Middle Powers Shape Global AI Power?' event.

Strengthening India-Netherlands Ties

PM Schoof's visit commenced with a warm reception by Minister Jitendra Singh in New Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs, through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, highlighted that his participation at the India-AI Impact Summit would "further deepen and strengthen the India-Netherlands bilateral partnership." Beyond the summit, PM Schoof also visited Humayun’s Tomb, guided by the Agha Khan Foundation.

India AI Impact Summit: A Global South Initiative

The India AI Impact Summit 2026, running from February 16 to February 20 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, is a landmark event. As the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South, it convenes government policymakers, industry experts, academicians, innovators, and civil society from across the globe. The summit's core mission aligns with India's vision of "Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya" (welfare for all, happiness for all) and the global principle of AI for Humanity, reflecting on AI's transformative potential.

On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in several bilateral meetings with international leaders and industry figures, including Croatia PM Andrej Plenkovic, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Finland PM Petteri Orpo, and Spanish President Pedro Sanchez, further solidifying India's diplomatic outreach in the technology sphere.