Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ongoing India-AI Impact Summit 2026, which is being hosted in the capital and brings together leaders, experts, and policymakers from around the world to discuss the future of artificial intelligence.

President Vučić arrived in Delhi a day earlier, on Tuesday, to take part in the AI summit. On his arrival, he was welcomed at the airport by Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State for External Affairs. This warm reception highlighted the importance India places on its relationship with Serbia and set a positive tone for the discussions that followed.

During their meeting at Hyderabad House, PM Modi and President Vucic discussed matters related to India-Serbia relations, cooperation in technology, and global issues, with a specific focus on how artificial intelligence can be responsibly and inclusively developed. Both leaders acknowledged that rapid advancements in AI have the potential to transform societies and economies if guided by shared values of equity and sustainability.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, shared remarks on social media about the visit. Jaiswal emphasised that President Vucic’s participation in the India-AI Impact Summit would add momentum to the “strong and close friendship” between India and Serbia. He expressed optimism that Serbia’s involvement in the summit would deepen bilateral ties and promote wider cooperation.

The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 itself is a major global event held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. It is part of a series of international AI summits and builds on earlier gatherings such as those in Bletchley Park (UK), Seoul (South Korea), Paris (France), and Kigali (Rwanda). The summit’s core goal is to go beyond broad ideas about artificial intelligence and focus on real, meaningful impacts that AI can have on people, the planet, and overall progress.

The summit is designed around three key themes: People, Planet, and Progress. This structure reflects India’s vision of how AI should be harnessed — not just for technological advancement, but for inclusive growth, environmental protection, and human well-being. Participants at the summit are engaging in discussions about how AI can help tackle global challenges such as climate change, healthcare delivery, education access, and sustainable development.

This event is noteworthy for being the first major global AI summit of its kind held in the Global South, giving India a unique role in shaping international AI policy and cooperation. Leaders from different regions, sectors, and disciplines are attending, offering diverse perspectives on how the benefits of AI innovation can be shared equitably across countries.

In preparation for the summit, organisers conducted a series of public consultations and global outreach sessions in cities like Paris, Berlin, Oslo, New York, Geneva, Bangkok, and Tokyo to incorporate a wide range of views and insights into the summit agenda. Regional events across India also contributed grassroots perspectives, making the summit’s discussions more inclusive and comprehensive.

Both India and Serbia have shown interest in expanding cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic and economic ties. Serbian President Vucic has highlighted areas like information technology, manufacturing, automotive components, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and cultural exchange as potential sectors for deeper collaboration with India. He sees scope for increased trade, simplified business linkages, and shared innovation initiatives.

Beyond economic and technological cooperation, President Vucic has also spoken about cultural connections between the two countries. He noted that cultural and creative collaborations, including film and arts, could foster stronger people-to-people links and mutual understanding.

The bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Vucic at Hyderabad House during the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 signalled a shared commitment to deepening strategic cooperation, particularly in the field of emerging technologies like AI. The discussions reflected both countries’ interest in ensuring that AI development remains responsible, inclusive, and beneficial for all segments of society.