Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday praised India’s visionary leadership and policies for making the country a global technology and AI leader. Speaking at AI Bharat Shakti, the pre-summit event of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, she said governance and policy decisions are moving faster than ever. She added that execution under visionary leadership drives real change, turning progressive policies into tangible results.
FM Sitharaman credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership since 2014 for shaping India’s technology-driven growth. She noted that policy enablers and institutional reforms have strengthened governance and fostered an innovation ecosystem. According to her, India’s framework has positioned the country as a global hub for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
She also appreciated Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for promoting technology-led growth, citing his role in Hyderabad’s development as an IT hub. “With his vision, Andhra Pradesh is ideal for India’s first AI hub,” FM Sitharaman said. She emphasized the synergy between central and state governments, which helps India maintain an edge in the global AI race.
The Finance Minister said proactive governance and enabling policies will help India achieve a developed nation status by 2047. “With today’s vision, India is well on the way to becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’,” she concluded, highlighting the importance of forward-thinking leadership.
