India AI Expo Summit Closed to Public on Feb 19, Extended to Feb 21

New Delhi, Feb 2026 : The India AI Expo Summit 2026 will remain closed to the general public on February 19 and will instead continue for an additional day on February 21, Electronics and Information Technology Secretary S Krishnan announced on Wednesday. The decision has been taken in view of the inauguration of the summit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will involve extensive security and traffic arrangements.

Explaining the move, Krishnan said that February 19 has been reserved exclusively for high-level inaugural events and official engagements. Given the presence of several global leaders and dignitaries, authorities felt it would be inappropriate to allow public access on that day, as it could lead to inconvenience and security-related disruptions. “We do not want the public to face difficulties because of restrictions and traffic diversions during the opening ceremony,” he said.

At the same time, the secretary announced that the expo has been extended by one additional day due to the overwhelming interest and enthusiasm shown by visitors. “In response to the strong public demand, the expo will now remain open on Saturday, February 21. This will give more people an opportunity to visit and explore the exhibits,” Krishnan stated, underlining the government’s effort to balance security requirements with public participation.

Krishnan also revealed that around 20 heads of state and government are expected to attend the inaugural session on February 19. Among the prominent international leaders will be French President Emmanuel Macron, whose presence underscores the global significance of the summit and India’s growing role in shaping international discussions on artificial intelligence.

The India AI Expo Summit 2026 has generated widespread attention for its scale and ambition. Designed as a comprehensive platform to showcase cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence, the expo brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including global technology companies, Indian startups, academic and research institutions, Union Ministries, state governments, and international partners. Strong participation is expected from both domestic and overseas delegates, reflecting the expanding footprint of India’s AI ecosystem.

Spread across 10 thematic arenas and covering more than 70,000 square metres, the expo offers visitors an immersive experience into the latest AI-driven innovations, applications, and policy frameworks. One of the major highlights of the summit is the presence of 13 country pavilions, which demonstrate international collaboration and cross-border partnerships in the field of artificial intelligence.

These pavilions represent countries such as Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan, as well as a collective presence from African nations. Together, they showcase how AI is being leveraged globally across sectors ranging from governance and healthcare to industry, education, and sustainability.

With the revised schedule, organisers are confident that the summit will remain accessible to the public while ensuring smooth conduct of high-level diplomatic engagements. The extension to February 21 is expected to further boost footfall and allow a wider audience to engage with India’s vision of inclusive, responsible, and globally connected AI development.