In a striking display of international recognition, Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa was illuminated in the Indian tricolour and imagery associated with India on Thursday night to celebrate the ongoing India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi, India. The lighting spectacular, shared widely on social media by the Indian Embassy in the UAE, was hailed as a symbol of deepening cooperation between the two countries in technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence.
The Summit, hosted at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre from February 16–20, 2026, is the first global AI summit organised in the Global South, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, and tech executives to shape frameworks for responsible and inclusive AI development. Participants include representatives from more than 110 countries and major technology firms, alongside discussions on governance, ethical AI, and cross-border research collaboration.
The visual tribute on Burj Khalifa featured India’s national flag colours alongside the summit’s themes, including messages such as “The Future of AI” and references to India’s leadership in the global AI discourse. The Indian Embassy described the visuals as a “powerful symbol of the growing India-UAE partnership in tech, innovation and AI,” underscoring strategic ties deepened under the 2022 India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
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In addition to the tricolour lighting, some projections included a giant image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by phrasing that echoed India’s vision for AI development — positioning the nation as a hub for innovation and ethical technological progress on the global stage. The display drew strong engagement online, with many users expressing pride in India’s leadership role in the technology sector.
The lighting event also coincided with high-level diplomatic engagements, including discussions between Indian and UAE officials on strengthening bilateral cooperation across sectors such as healthcare, insurance, and investment — reflecting broader economic and strategic collaboration beyond the summit itself.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 has seen significant announcements, including major global tech investment commitments and the launch of new AI initiatives intended to expand infrastructure and applications across sectors. While the summit has attracted widespread attention for its ambition and scale, it has also faced organisational challenges — including logistical issues reported on the opening day.
In summary, the Burj Khalifa tribute served as a high-profile international endorsement of India’s role in shaping future AI dialogues and highlighted the increasingly collaborative relationship between India and the UAE on technology and innovation fronts.
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