AI Summit Opens as World Marks Lunar New Year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026, walking through the venue and engaging with startup stalls on the opening day. In his address, the Prime Minister underscored that artificial intelligence must be developed and deployed for the larger public good, stressing that 'intelligence, rationality and decision-making ability' are what make science and technology meaningful for society. The summit, which has drawn significant attention, is being closely monitored by authorities to ensure a smooth experience for all visitors. The opening of the summit coincided with Lunar New Year celebrations across Asia and beyond, marking the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse. Millions of people were on holiday to celebrate with family, enjoying traditional foods and festivities, including dragon dances. In China alone, an estimated 9.5 million people were traveling for the holiday, highlighting the global scale of the celebrations. Amid these events, a separate geopolitical development drew international condemnation. Israel's approval of a process to register land in the occupied West Bank as 'state property' was criticized by neighboring Arab nations, including Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan. These nations labeled the move illegal under international law, with critics viewing it as a de facto beginning of the annexation of Palestinian territory, casting a shadow over regional stability.