The High Commission of India in Malé hosted a Curtain Raiser event for the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on 13 January 2026, bringing together senior officials, policymakers, technology experts, academics, start-ups, and members of the business and media community.
The event provided an overview of India’s vision and priorities for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to be held from 16 to 20 February 2026, with a focus on the responsible, inclusive, and ethical development of artificial intelligence.
Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology Mohamed Kinaanath attended the event as Guest of Honour. In his remarks, Minister Kinaanath noted that the Maldives has been actively participating in Working Group (Chakras) meetings in the lead-up to the summit, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation in shaping an inclusive and innovative AI ecosystem. He also outlined the Maldives’ ongoing efforts and future plans in artificial intelligence, including the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (AI RAM) and the National Digital Transformation Vision – Maldives 2.0.
The Indian High Commissioner highlighted the transformative potential of AI across key sectors such as governance, healthcare, education, climate resilience, financial inclusion, and digital public infrastructure, while emphasising the importance of international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and human-centric innovation.
The Curtain Raiser also highlighted the strong and evolving partnership between India and the Maldives in digital infrastructure and technology, including practical cooperation in areas such as UPI, RuPay, and other fintech platforms.
The event, followed by a press conference and open house discussions, generated strong interest among Maldivian stakeholders and reaffirmed engagement with the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026. The High Commission of India expressed appreciation to all participants and reiterated its commitment to continued cooperation with Maldivian partners in advancing inclusive and sustainable digital futures. (Source: India HighCom)
