CEOs of global tech companies attending the India AI Impact Summit 2026, on Thursday, emphasised the need for autonomy, infrastructure, and mass empowerment in the AI ecosystem.

On the sidelines of India AI Impact Summit 2026, keynote addresses by Arthur Mensch, CEO & Co-founder, Mistral AI; Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Digital Labs; Rajesh Subramaniam, CEO, FedEx and Vinod Khosla, Founder, Khosla Ventures, examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping sovereignty, global commerce, infrastructure, and access to essential services – with a strong emphasis on openness, ownership and large-scale societal impact.

Arthur Mensch, CEO & Co-founder, Mistral AI, made a compelling case for AI autonomy and open innovation.

Emphasising decentralisation and digital self-reliance, he stated, “AI should be a tool for empowerment, not for dominance. Countries and regions must own their AI destiny; it is not a privilege, but a necessity for preserving digital autonomy.”

Warning against excessive concentration of power, he added, “We do not want a world where three or four enormous companies own access to intelligence. The future must be built by the many, and for the many.”

Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Digital Labs, framed AI through the lens of national capability and strategic sovereignty.

Outlining energy, compute, and services sovereignty as three defining pillars, he remarked, “AI is written in code, but it runs on electricity. If a nation’s energy systems are fragile, its intelligence systems are fragile.”

Announcing major investments in green, sovereign AI infrastructure, he added, “The question is no longer whether India will participate in the AI century. The question is whether the AI century will carry India’s imprint, in its infrastructure, its intelligence, and its values.”

Rajesh Subramaniam, CEO, FedEx, positioned AI as foundational infrastructure for the next industrial era, particularly in global supply chains.

Reflecting on the company’s transformation, he said, “AI is no longer a trend – it is the next industrial system. Intelligence is not an asset; it is infrastructure.”

Highlighting the scale of opportunity, he added, “Over the next 50 years, our differentiation will come from orchestrating the intelligence that governs modern commerce, predicting disruption, optimising flows and building resilient supply chains.”

Vinod Khosla, Founder, Khosla Ventures, shifted the focus to immediate, large-scale applications capable of transforming lives.

Advocating AI tutors, AI doctors, and AI agronomy services accessible to every citizen, he said, “Unless AI benefits the bottom half of India’s population, we will not see its true impact.”

Underscoring feasibility, he added, “The future is here today. What once required hundreds of billions of dollars can now be delivered at scale, cheaply — multiplying access to education, healthcare, and expertise for every Indian.”

The session reflected a shared conviction that AI’s next phase must be defined not only by technological sophistication, but by ownership, accessibility, and equitable deployment.

From open-source autonomy and sovereign infrastructure to intelligent supply chains and universal digital services, the leaders emphasised that India stands at a decisive inflection point, with the opportunity to architect AI systems that are inclusive, resilient, and globally influential.

Sikandar Raza scored a vital late hit for Zimbabwe as they defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in a thrilling victory, with Brian Bennett leading the chase with a cool undefeated half-century in their Group B match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday.

Zimbabwe established the basis for chasing a competitive target of 179 with a solid opening partnership between Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani. Marumani led the way with a forceful innings, smashing six fours and a six to score 34 runs off 26 balls, as the pair put up 68 runs for the opening wicket. Meanwhile, Bennett gained ground steadily after an early break.

Zimbabwe maintained the necessary pace and was at 78/1 at the halfway point. Before Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka intervened to momentarily halt the advance, Ryan Burl added more momentum with a rapidfire 23 off 12 deliveries, highlighted by a massive six.

But during a scorching partnership between Bennett and Raza, the game swung dramatically in Zimbabwe’s favor. In his 45 off only 26 balls, Raza launched a ferocious counterattack, hitting four sixes and two boundaries as the chase was in a close position. By attacking the spinners in particular, he shifted the tide and lessened the strain on the visiting team.

Bennett maintained the innings with maturity, switching strike skillfully while taking advantage of bad deliveries, and completed his half-century off 41 balls. Between the 15th and 17th overs, Zimbabwe scored 46 runs, which allowed them to win the match against Sri Lanka.

When Dushan Hemantha quickly dismissed Raza and Tashinga Musekiwa, Sri Lanka made a late comeback attempt, but Munyonga maintained his composure under pressure. He finished undefeated on 59 off 47 balls after hitting a game-changing six in the second-to-last over, and Bennett ended the match in fine form by hitting a boundary through extra cover.

Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling attack kept Sri Lanka’s total, which they had set at 178/7 in their 20 overs earlier, attainable.

Zimbabwe secured their second-highest successful chase in T20 internationals with the triumph, which also guaranteed them an undefeated finish in Group B, which included Sri Lanka, Australia, and Ireland. Despite periods of dominance, Zimbabwe’s precise hitting in the final overs brought Sri Lanka down.

“All I said to my boys after we lost the toss was: If we are truly playing good cricket, why should the toss play such a huge part in our mindset? ” When we’re playing well, that’s all that matters.

As he put it, “I’m really happy,” Raza praised Zimbabwe’s strategic clarity and preparedness for enabling them to adjust in stressful situations. I believe that’s because, in the first place, we’ve prepared for any eventuality. Everything is on the board when you’re chasing, in any case. Additionally, we have the appropriate people to deploy at the appropriate moment. During the chase, we made around four adjustments to our lineup.

Raza reaffirmed the idea behind their campaign as Zimbabwe cemented their position as one of the tournament’s surprises. “However, we can hold our heads up high knowing that we made it there undefeated. And you never know if we can win two of those three games. Everyone loves an underdog story, as I’ve been saying all along,” he said in conclusion.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 178/7 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 62, Pavan Rathnayake 44; Graeme Cremer 2-27, Blessing Muzarabani 2-38)
Zimbabwe 179/6 in 19.3 overs (Brian Bennett 59*, Sikandar Raza 45; Dushan Hemantha 2-36)

Backed by a strong digital base, secure infrastructure, and a thriving startup environment, India is becoming a “natural hub” for Artificial Intelligence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.

At the India AI Impact Summit, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the nation’s growing technological prowess in vital fields.

India is developing a robust ecosystem, from quantum computing to semiconductors and chip manufacture, with secure data centers, a robust IT infrastructure, and a thriving startup ecosystem. India is a logical center for inexpensive, flexible, and safe AI solutions due to these advantages, he said.

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s distinctive advantages, pointing out that the nation’s diversity and democratic system give it a strong position in the world of artificial intelligence.

“India is a democracy, with a diverse population. If an artificial intelligence model is successful in India, it will be successful everywhere, he added.

“Create and design in India. ” “Give to the world, give to humanity,” he continued.

Emphasizing the need to prioritize people over machines in AI development, Prime Minister Modi urged for systems that are responsive, responsible, and in accordance with human values.

“The main goal of this Global AI Impact Summit is that. The theme of this Summit, “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya,” which translates to “Welfare for All, Happiness for All,” is a reflection of India’s perspective on artificial intelligence. That is our standard,” he stated.

The Prime Minister emphasized the necessity of democratizing artificial intelligence and highlighted the importance of technology empowering rather than excluding.

“We must ensure that people are not just data points and are not reduced to raw materials. AI needs to be made more accessible to the public. It must transform into a tool of inclusion and empowerment, particularly for the Global South,” he stated.

In light of differing global attitudes regarding the future of AI, Prime Minister Modi stated that there are opposing perspectives about its future.

“Today, there are two sorts of people in the world. In AI, one sees worry. The other predicts that AI will bring good things. India views AI as an opportunity, not as a threat; India sees its future in AI,” he stated with accountability and pride.

“We have talent, energy, capacity, and policy clarity,” he stated.

Additionally, the Prime Minister highlighted real gains made during the conference. “At this Summit, three Indian companies have introduced their AI models and applications, and I’m delighted to share that. “These models represent the depth and variety of India’s young talent and the solutions India offers to the world,” he said.

An AI-powered sign language interpretation was shown in the background throughout his speech, highlighting the real-world applications of the technology being covered at the summit.

In his Thursday speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described a holistic and human-centric approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) known as MANAV, urging the international community to strike a balance between innovation and responsibility as it works to define the future of AI.

In his address to the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, the Prime Minister stated that the globe has a “big vision and an equally big responsibility” in the age of artificial intelligence.

“In addition to the current generation, we must also consider what type of AI we will be passing on to future generations. The genuine issue now is, then, not what AI will be able to accomplish in the future. The issue is, what should we do with artificial intelligence right now? Humanity has faced such questions in the past. Nuclear energy is the best illustration. Its destruction has been witnessed, as well as its beneficial impact,” he stated.

Modi warned against the abuse of AI, calling it a revolutionary technology.

“AI has the capacity to change things as well. If it lacks direction, it will cause havoc; He emphasized the importance of using the technology ethically and responsibly, stating that “it will become a solution if it goes in the right direction. ”

As India’s human-centric framework for the 21st century, the Prime Minister unveiled what he termed the ‘MANAV’ vision for AI.

“We must provide AI an open sky, but also maintain control over the command. The ultimate decision on which direction to go is still ours, even though GPS proposes the route. Our future will depend on the path we choose for AI right now. I am introducing the ‘MANAV’ vision for AI at the New Delhi AI Impact Summit today; it stands for a human-centric Indian perspective on AI, as the term suggests,” he stated.

He broke down the acronym as follows: “M stands for Moral & Ethical Systems, which means AI must be guided by ethics and respect human values; A for Accountable Governance, transparent rules, robust oversight, and national sovereignty, Whoever owns the data must own the rights; N for Accessible and Inclusive, AI must not become a monopoly, but a multiplier of opportunities; A for Valued and Legitimate, AI must be lawful, trustworthy, and socially accepted; V for Vision for Humanity, the ultimate goal of AI must be the welfare of humanity. ”

“India’s MANAV Vision will offer meaningful direction for human welfare in an AI-driven 21st Century world. ” Human values will determine the future of technology, not machines, he said.

In emphasizing the value of openness, Prime Minister Modi emphasized transparency as a protection against the advancement of artificial intelligence.

‘Sunlight is the best disinfectant’ is a common saying, implying that transparency provides the best protection. AI is considered a strategic asset by certain nations and businesses, and its development should be kept under wraps. According to him, “India thinks differently. ”

“We think AI will only benefit global interests if it is shared, if codes are open, and if innovation is collective. ” Only then will millions of young brains be able to improve it and make it safer. Let us pledge to create AI as a global public benefit,” he said.

The Prime Minister cautioned about new dangers like deepfakes and tampered digital material, urging the creation of worldwide standards.

“There is also an urgent necessity to develop global standards. Open societies can be made unstable by fake news and deepfakes. We can see nutrition labels on food in the real world to tell us what we are eating. In the same vein, in the digital realm, content should be labeled with authenticity marks, he added.

“People need to be able to distinguish between what is real and what is created by AI. ” The requirement for watermarking and transparent source standards will increase as AI produces text, images, and videos. Technology needs to have trust built in from the start,” he said.

Addressing worries about the safety of children, Modi stated that measures in the AI environment must be improved.

“We have to be even more cautious about the welfare of children. The AI environment should be family-led and child-safe, much like school curricula are curated,” he stated.

The Prime Minister stated, “There are two kinds of people in the world today,” when considering the larger perspective on AI. In AI, one may observe dread. The other views AI as a source of fortune. With a sense of pride and responsibility, I declare that India sees prospects in artificial intelligence, not dread. India sees its future in AI.

“We have talent, energy, capacity, and policy clarity,” he said.

“I am delighted to inform you that at this Summit, three Indian firms have introduced their AI models and apps. ” These models demonstrate the breadth and variety of India’s young talent and the solutions India provides to the globe, he said.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav praised his team’s all-around performance and expressed satisfaction with the choice to bat first.

India defended 193/6 after India’s hard-fought 17-run victory over the Netherlands in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

“We wanted to bat first, and then went on to score 190. The bowlers found it a little tough because of the dew, but generally speaking, they were quite pleased, Suryakumar said in his post-game interview.

The beginning of India’s innings was full of challenges. Aryan Dutt twice took out both Abhishek and Ishan Kishan (18) during the Power-play, while Abhishek Sharma was out for his third straight duck in the competition. Before the middle order made a dramatic change, Tilak Varma (31) maintained the inning.

Shivam Dube stood out among the players, hitting an amazing 66 off just 31 balls, scoring a half-century in 25 balls, and launching attacks against both spin and speed. Rinku Singh put the finishing touches on India’s total of 193/6 after they stole 15 runs in the 16th over and 20 runs in the following to surpass 150. “Dube suffered another blow when he played against New Zealand at Vizag. “It was amazing that he was able to reach 190 (tonight), and he also wanted to win the POTM prize that day,” Suryakumar said in appreciation of the all-arounder.

“We might be in a similar situation (losing early wickets), but it is important for the batters to understand what the responsibility is,” he said, when considering the team’s overall performance. Later, we will have firepower. We have checked off a number of boxes. You learn a lot, even when you win, which is what happened today.

The depth of India’s bowling attack was also emphasized by Suryakumar. “A headache can be beneficial on occasion. There are many possibilities available. They may contribute in any way the wicket requires on a particular day. Pleased with the direction of events. Every batter contributed. Some of them might have a lovely day, but we need everyone’s help.

The Netherlands got off to a strong start in their pursuit, scoring 35 for the first stand before India responded. Taking advantage of a few missed opportunities, Colin Ackermann and Bas de Leede put together a quick 43-run partnership to keep the game going.

Dutch captain Scott Edwards recognized his team’s strengths but conceded that important moments were missed. We got off to a great start. Many thanks to Aryan. For several years, he has been great for us. For a while, we felt like we were in the thick of things. We know that they possess firepower all the way down. It was amazing to maintain them under control for 14–15 overs.

He admitted, though, that errors were expensive. “These guys will make you pay for a few missed opportunities and missed executions. They took down a few overs at the end, with wickets in hand.

Edwards considered the learning curve from a broader perspective. “You gain a great deal of knowledge every time you visit. The crowds are larger, the pitches are flatter, the grounds are smaller, and there is so much hype. We take pride in our ability to perform well in the most important situations as a team. We played well, but we must seize those opportunities.

“It was a bit challenging, but this is the kind of circumstance I like to bat. Despite the pressure, I was having a good time. It was rolling and staying low. As well as one of the balls, one of the others also rotated. I was sure I could hit, but the circumstances called for a change. I enjoy hitting sixes and strive to break barriers. I prepared myself knowing that every bowler will try to deceive me by throwing slower balls.

“The captain and coach have instructed me to maintain a high strike rate. However, it also depends on the circumstances. I was unable to maintain a high strike rate right away today. I thought it was time for me to leave because something was up. Toiling away at bowling. The results are rolling in. You will occasionally be struck, but you will also take wickets, he said.

Brief scores:
India 193/6 in 20 Overs (Shivam Dube 66, Suryakumar Yadav 34; Logan van Beek 3-56, Aryan Dutt 2-19)
Netherlands 176/7 in 20 overs (Bas de Leede 33, Noah Croes 25; Varun Chakravarthy 3-14, Shivam Dube 2-25).

One of the biggest worldwide conferences on artificial intelligence, the India AI Impact Summit 2026, will officially begin on Thursday at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam with its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Prime Minister will open the India AI Summit at about 9:40 a. m. , and he will speak to the audience at about 10:25 a. m. , according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The first session is also anticipated to include speeches by French President Emmanuel Macron, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and a number of notable people from the world’s technology and industrial communities.

Before the event, Prime Minister Modi will greet the participating world leaders at Bharat Mandapam, and a family picture of the officials is planned for about 9:15 a. m.

The Prime Minister, along with other foreign dignitaries, will visit the India AI Impact Expo around 11 a. m. after the formal inauguration.

At the expo, national pavilions will showcase cutting-edge, AI-driven innovations and up-and-coming technological solutions from all over the world.

The Prime Minister will attend the Leaders’ Plenary session at about midday, which will bring together Heads of State, ministers, and high-ranking officials from international organizations.

The discussions are anticipated to center on defining national and international priorities for artificial intelligence, such as governance structures, infrastructure development, and frameworks for international collaboration.

The prime minister will later attend a CEO roundtable that will bring together top executives from the world’s largest technology and industrial firms, as well as senior government officials, starting at 5:30 p. m.

The discussion is anticipated to concentrate on the widespread use of AI technologies in various industries, research collaborations, resilient supply networks, and investment prospects.

The goal of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 is to create cooperative approaches to utilize the revolutionary potential of artificial intelligence while promoting innovation, ethical governance, and international collaborations.

It has brought together technology experts, policymakers, and global leaders to discuss the revolutionary possibilities of artificial intelligence in fostering economic progress, enhancing governance, and advancing social advancement.

While supporting the larger concept of AI for Humanity, the event aims to harmonize worldwide AI efforts with India’s civilizational ethos of ‘Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya (welfare for all, happiness for all). ‘

The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is the fourth iteration in the series, after prior events in the United Kingdom (2023), South Korea (2024), and France (2025).

By fostering collaborations in digital technology, commerce, culture, tourism, and maritime cooperation, the platform gives leaders the ability to assess the ethical, economic, and social consequences of artificial intelligence.

Priya Prakash Varrier, the Malayalam actress who co-starred with Tamil actor Ajith Kumar in his film “Good Bad Ugly,” has since written a letter of gratitude in which she praised Ajith’s dedication to excellence in both his life and racing career, calling it an inspiration!

The actress shared photos and videos of her encounter with him last week on the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on her Instagram page, describing it as “Pure passion, discipline and fearless dedication in motion. ” His pursuit of excellence in both life and racing is really inspiring. A reminder that genuine greatness is achieved by breaking barriers, maintaining humility, and never giving up on what ignites your spirit. I appreciate you having me, Ajith sir! Being with you and your amazing crew was such a rewarding experience. We are cheering for you!

Ajith Kumar and his racing squad have been competing in a number of international car races, and Priya Prakash Varrier was the most recent person to come and support them.

Before Priya Prakash Varrier, Tamil celebrity Sivakarthikeyan had encountered actor Ajith at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Sivakarthikeyan posted images of his meeting with Ajith Kumar on his Instagram page, writing, Pure passion, commitment, dedication, and resilience – experienced it live, felt the adrenaline rush.

With an inspiring individual, I had an uplifting day. I will always look up to you, my dear AK sir.

Yuvan Shankar Raja, a well-known music director, had previously met Ajith Kumar at the Dubai Autodrome before Sivakarthikeyan.

At the time of Yuvan Shankar Raja‘s encounter, actor Ajith’s smash movie ‘Mankatha‘, which had just been re-released, was dominating the box office.

Madhavan, an actor, spoke with Ajith at the Dubai Autodrome only a few days before Yuvan Shankar Raja had called on Ajith.

To support actor Ajith, who participated in the well-known Dubai 24H Series competition, actress Nayanthara and her director husband, Vignesh Shivan, had also traveled to the Dubai Autodrome.

Before Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan, actor Sibi Sathyaraj shared a video on his X feed showing Ajith giving him and his family members a warm welcome at the circuit.

“It was a real pleasure to meet Ajithkumar sir at the 24HDubai racing event today,” Sibi Sathyaraj said while sharing the video clip. The commitment and labor he has made in following his passion have really inspired me. It was always a pleasure, dear sir, to talk and spend valuable time with you. I appreciate the chance!

Prior to Sibi, Anirudh, one of India’s best music directors, had visited actor Ajith Kumar at the Marina Race Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

On the other hand, Ajith Kumar’s endeavors on the racetrack are being made into a documentary that, according to sources, will be released in cinemas on May 1 of this year to mark his birthday.

At the Qatar Open, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6(5) in his first match since becoming the youngest man ever to win the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open.

The 22-year-old saved two set points on serve in a tense second set before winning the tie-break to earn his 150th tour-level hard-court victory and extend his perfect start to the 2026 season to 8-0, according to ATP.

It was quite challenging. Arthur is a very hazardous player. In the first round, no one wants to compete against him. The level makes me pleased. The fact that I was able to get through the match’s challenging times makes me glad. I’m glad I maintained a good attitude and composure and performed well on the court, Alcaraz said.

In Doha, where he lost to Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals of his debut last year, Alcaraz is hoping to do better. The world’s top player in the ATP rankings will next face French Valentin Royer.

The only way Alcaraz can face second seed Sinner in the title match is in the 17th episode of their thrilling competition.

Prior to that, the Spaniard might have a quarterfinal match against Karen Khachanov.

In the 2024 championship, Khachanov defeated lucky loser Shintaro Mochizuki by a score of 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. In the second round, the seventh-seeded Khachanov will face Marton Fucsovics.

Later, in his first game as the defending champion, Andrey Rublev recovered from a sluggish start to defeat Jesper de Jong 6-4, 6-3. Fabian Marozsan, who defeated Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-1, will be the next opponent for the fifth seed, who also won the Doha title in 2020 when it was an ATP 250.

Stefanos Tsitsipas kicked off his Doha bid with a 6-4, 6-4 victory against Tunisian wild card Moez Echargui, setting up a popcorn second-round match against Daniil Medvedev, the reigning 2023 champion and his longtime rival.

Although the two haven’t faced each other since Shanghai in 2024, Tsitsipas is behind in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 4–10.

The World Bank Group’s guarantee arm gave a $197. 67 million guarantee on Tuesday for India’s ambitious rooftop solar expansion plan.

The World Bank’s $500 million loan to the State Bank of India for grid-connected solar systems that serve commercial and industrial clients is supported by the five-year funding.

According to a press statement, the guarantee to Citibank N. A. for its non-shareholder loan to SBI was provided by the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), which is home to the World Bank Group Guarantee Platform. By replacing more expensive and carbon-intensive thermal production, the rooftop solar installations provide clean energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The loan supports a national initiative that provides grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (GRPV) systems to commercial and industrial clients throughout India. Tsutomu Yamamoto, MIGA Managing Director, stated that MIGA’s guarantee will support SBI’s expanding portfolio of renewable energy in India and help India achieve its climate targets.

The rooftop solar installations provide clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing more expensive and carbon-intensive thermal generation.The loan funds a national program delivering grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (GRPV) systems to commercial and industrial customers across India.​

MIGA’s guarantee will support SBI’s growing portfolio of renewable energy in India and contribute to India’s climate goals, said Tsutomu Yamamoto, MIGA Managing Director.

Additionally, the partnership between MIGA and the IBRD on the initiative is further evidence of how the One World Bank Group is working together to promote private capital mobilization. India has set out ambitious goals for a shift to clean energy.

To get net zero by 2070, annual investment requirements are predicted to be between $160 and $300 billion. As one of the biggest banks and financial services companies in the nation, SBI is required to use at least 7. 5% of its domestic gross advances for “green” finance.

By using World Bank funding and technological help to demonstrate the commercial viability of rooftop solar for the commercial and industrial sectors, SBI launched the rooftop solar project in 2016. SBI was able to get foreign commercial lenders and private funding via the World Bank program.

According to the most recent IBRD Implementation Report, the program resulted in 1,004 MW of GRPV installations.

Citibank served as the only lender, facility agent, mandated lead arranger, and MIGA coordinator for the loan. The latest IBRD Implementation Report confirms that 1,004 MW of GRPV installations were achieved under the program.

​Citibank acted as sole lender, mandated lead arranger, facility agent, and MIGA coordinator for the financing.The transaction is based on a similar rooftop solar refinancing initiative that Citi, MIGA, and SBI worked together on in 2024.

“This historic transaction demonstrates Citi’s dedication to promoting sustainable development and aiding India’s shift toward a greener economy,” said Stephanie von Friedeburg, Global Head of Citi’s Public Sector Group.

This initiative, our second collaboration with MIGA and SBI in the past two years, continues to promote India’s ambitious rooftop solar program, showcasing the potential of public-private partnerships to provide effective clean energy solutions and advance global climate goals. According to SBI Managing Director Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh, the refinancing was a “pioneering transaction. ”

“This unique alliance between Citi, MIGA, and SBI will make a significant contribution to lowering the carbon footprint of the country, in line with India’s Net Zero targets and highlighting SBI’s unwavering dedication to sustainable development. ”

The finance will assist SBI in lowering borrowing costs and diversifying its sources of capital.

By transferring the loan to the balance sheets of commercial lenders, the guarantee, according to MIGA, also makes room for more World Bank lending to the Indian government. SBI serves more than 480 million clients through its 22,405+ retail locations throughout India and has 235 branches in 29 nations.

It was founded as the Imperial Bank of India in 1921 and established by an Act of Parliament in 1951 as the State Bank of India. It was established in 1921 as the Imperial Bank of India and, in 1951, was constituted as the State Bank of India by an Act of Parliament.

MIGA is a member of the World Bank Group that works to attract private investment into emerging nations by offering credit support and political risk insurance.

The World Bank Group reorganized its guarantee offerings in 2024 under MIGA with the goal of increasing yearly guarantee issuance to $20 billion by 2030.

The globe is facing several difficulties in many industries, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke on Tuesday.

“Indian businesses have the capacity to meet these obstacles. At the India-France Startup Forum, which was also attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Modi declared that India has now become the third-largest startup environment in the world.

Under the ‘Bharat Innovates 2026‘ initiative, India and France will reunite in France in June, according to Prime Minister Modi.

Some of India’s top companies that are developing solutions in the fields of climate change, security, and healthcare will be on display to the world during the event. The Atal Innovation Mission will be ten years old on February 24, he said.

Over 10,000 tinkering labs have been created as part of this initiative, involving over 10 million students in entrepreneurship endeavors. This project is also linked to a number of edtech firms and over 100 incubators.

Entrepreneurs attending the event were encouraged by the Prime Minister to join the Atal Innovation Mission.

The Prime Minister urged entrepreneurs present at the event to participate in the Atal Innovation Mission.He stressed that India’s path to becoming a developed nation is powered by its startups. As a result, the emphasis of this year’s budget has been on enhancing the startup environment.

To foster content development, “Content Creator Labs” will be established in 15,000 schools and 500 institutions of higher learning. In the fields of clean energy, semiconductors, biotechnology, quantum technology, and artificial intelligence, mission-mode projects are being carried out.

Entrepreneurship is also being promoted in infrastructure, electronics, sports goods, textiles, and chemicals. Additionally, PM Modi stressed that India is establishing itself as a worldwide role model in women-led research and entrepreneurship.

In reference to Indo-French ties, he stated that the partnership is founded on trust and shared principles, not just on startups.

For this reason, he and President Emmanuel Macron have designated 2026 as the ‘India-France Startup Year. ‘ He went on to say that France and India have collaborated in a number of strategic technology areas, fostering confidence in one another.

He added that India and France have cooperated in several strategic technology domains, strengthening mutual trust.The connection between the two nations has now been upgraded to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership. ”

President Emmanuel Macron said in his speech that Indian CEOs are at the helm of several major international corporations. India is at the forefront of the worldwide startup revolution rather than just taking part in it. For the development of startups, investing in education and training is critical.

The France-India Aeronautics Campus, according to him, provides possibilities for skill specialization. The question is no longer whether India is capable of invention; The genuine issue is which country will innovate alongside India, and France is the answer. France is dedicated to collaborating with India in order to create a better future.

He also expressed his hope for the enduring strength of the connection between France and India. In addition, President Macron stated that an “Innovation Day” will be held on the eve of the G7 Summit, as suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Many students and researchers will be brought together by the joint France-India initiatives. France continues to be a solid and dependable ally in the ‘Make in India’ initiative in the defense industry.

Next-generation engines, multi-role helicopters, sophisticated fighter planes, and submarines are all being created in collaboration with France. He expressed gratitude to India for the trust they placed in this alliance.

This is not simply a set of military contracts, but rather a sovereign strategic partnership, as President Macron emphasized. Two major nations choose one another across the land, sea, and sky, not because they are forced to, but because of unwavering faith.

He emphasized collaboration in the space industry by stating that the creation of the “TRISHNA” satellite is a great illustration of the integration of scientific brilliance and manufacturing prowess.