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Goa CM Hails AI Summit Declaration, Slams Congress Protest as "Betrayal"

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant welcomed the historic New Delhi Declaration adopted at the AI Impact Summit 2026, calling it a global commitment to harness AI for human progress and welfare. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for India's role in shaping the initiative, which was endorsed by over 80 countries. Sawant emphasized that the summit's outcomes on responsible governance and inclusive development would benefit sectors like healthcare and agriculture, particularly in the Global South. Simultaneously, he strongly condemned a shirtless protest by Indian Youth Congress workers at the summit, labeling it a betrayal of India's image.

Key Points: Goa CM on AI Summit Declaration & Congress Protest Fallout

  • Global AI declaration endorsed by 80+ nations
  • Focus on AI for inclusion and development
  • India's leadership under PM Modi highlighted
  • Youth Congress protest condemned by Goa CM
2 min read

AI Impact Summit Declaration 2026 reflects global commitment to harnessing AI for human progress and welfare: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

Goa CM Pramod Sawant welcomes the global AI Declaration, credits PM Modi's leadership, and condemns the Youth Congress shirtless protest as a betrayal.

"This is a betrayal of India's image... - Pramod Sawant"

Panaji, February 21

Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant welcomed the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration at the AI Impact Summit 2026, calling it a historic step towards ensuring that Artificial Intelligence becomes a force for human progress and global welfare.

Invoking the message "Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay", Sawant said the coming together of nations from across the world reflects a shared commitment to make AI a tool for inclusion and development.

The New Delhi Declaration, adopted at the AI Impact Summit 2026, reflects a global commitment to harnessing Artificial Intelligence for human progress and welfare. India's leadership, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has played a key role in shaping this initiative, with over 80 countries endorsing the declaration.

"I wholeheartedly welcome the historic New Delhi Declaration adopted at the AI Impact Summit 2026. The coming together of nations from across the world reflects a shared commitment to ensure that Artificial Intelligence becomes a force for human progress, inclusion and global welfare," he said.

The Goa Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the endorsement of the Declaration by more than 80 countries is a testimony to India's growing role as a trusted global partner in shaping emerging technologies.

Highlighting the key outcomes of the Summit, Sawant said responsible AI governance, inclusive development, innovation, capacity building and global collaboration will help harness technology for sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, governance and economic growth, particularly benefiting the Global South.

He emphasised the need to translate the shared vision into concrete action by promoting ethical innovation, encouraging research, building skilled talent and ensuring that AI delivers benefits to every citizen.

Meanwhile, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant called the Indian Youth Congress protest "a betrayal of India's image.

"On behalf of the Goa government, I condemn the way Congress, due to its low-level politics, sent its young workers to this AI Summit, and the way they have taken off their clothes and protested... This is a betrayal of India's image...," the CM said.

In the protest held at the Al Impact India Summit in the national capital, the Youth Congress members removed their shirts with slogans that read, "Compromised PM". The party workers removed their shirts as a mark of dissent.

The Patiala House Court on Saturday rejected the bail applications of all four arrested Indian Youth Congress workers in connection with the protest and sent them into a five-day police custody.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the declaration's goals are noble, I'm concerned about the execution. We need strong data protection laws first. Also, the protest was in bad taste, but dismissing all dissent as "betrayal" isn't helpful. Healthy debate is essential for any policy.
R
Rohit P
The Youth Congress protest was a complete embarrassment on an international stage. You don't take off your shirts at a global summit! Debate on policies is fine, but this hooliganism damages our country's reputation. CM Sawant is right to condemn it.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in tech, the emphasis on "ethical innovation" and "skilled talent" is crucial. India has the potential to be a global AI hub, but we need more focus on STEM education in regional languages to truly be inclusive.
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Vikram M
"Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay" – For the welfare and happiness of all. A perfect guiding principle for AI. Let's hope this isn't just another declaration that gathers dust. Concrete action in villages and small towns is what will count.
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Karthik V
Good step, but the real test is local implementation. Will AI help a farmer in Odisha or a small shopkeeper in Goa? Or will it just benefit big corporates? The governance framework must prioritize public good over private profit.

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