Chaos reigns at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, prompting sharp criticism from Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. In a scathing post on X, he lambasted the Modi administration for turning a prestigious international gathering into a ‘complete anarchy’ marked by poor planning and participant hardships.
Kicking off on February 16 at Bharat Mandapam, the five-day event sought to unite global leaders, policymakers, innovators, and experts under the themes of People, Planet, and Progress. Foreign Ministry officials boasted of ministerial delegations from over 45 nations and high-profile attendees like the UN Secretary-General. But on the ground, reality tells a different story.
Participants face a litany of issues: no entry for laptops, personal gadgets, or bags; cash-only transactions despite UPI ubiquity; inadequate food and water for exhibitors; product thefts; and dysfunctional digital wayfinding. ‘Everyone is suffering just to catch a photo op with the PM on day one,’ Kharge fumed.
The Congress president contrasted this fiasco with the Bengaluru Tech Summit, praising its seamless execution of massive tech events. ‘Modi government should learn from BTS,’ he advised, decrying how a platform meant to highlight India’s AI strengths has become a symbol of inefficiency.
This isn’t just logistical failure—it’s a diplomatic embarrassment. As discussions on AI’s global trajectory unfold, India’s hosting capabilities are under scrutiny. Kharge’s intervention amplifies calls for accountability, reminding that world-class ambitions demand world-class organization. The summit’s remaining days will test whether organizers can salvage its reputation.