NEW DELHI: India’s flagship artificial intelligence summit was overshadowed by awkward on-stage moments, logistical disruptions and political controversy, shifting attention away from technology to organisational missteps.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday invited global AI leaders onto the stage during the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, calling for more “inclusive and multilingual” artificial intelligence worldwide.
What followed quickly went viral.
Rivalry on stage
As Modi clasped hands with OpenAI chief Sam Altman on one side and Google chief Sundar Pichai on the other, he encouraged the group of 13 executives to raise their hands together in a show of unity.
But Altman and Anthropic chief Dario Amodei, standing side by side, appeared to avoid holding hands for several seconds.
Both eventually raised clenched fists instead.
The clip spread widely online and was seen as a symbol of rivalry between OpenAI and Anthropic.
From Adani and Ambani racing to outspend each other to fresh deals with OpenAI and Anthropic, India is going all in on AI. But will it finally turn ambition into reality?@haslindatv explains: https://t.co/3pY1tioN36 pic.twitter.com/rsQtcMXxKI
— Bloomberg (@business) February 20, 2026
“I didn’t know what was happening,” Altman later told Indian outlet Moneycontrol.
“I was confused … and just wasn’t sure what we were supposed to be doing.”
Anthropic declined to comment.
Amodei previously worked at OpenAI before leaving in 2021 with others, including his sister Daniela Amodei, to found Anthropic.
OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022, while Anthropic introduced its competing chatbot Claude in 2023.
The two companies have since taken different commercial paths, including public criticism over advertising models in the United States.
Robot dog controversy
The summit faced further embarrassment over a robot dog displayed by Galgotias University.
In a televised segment with state broadcaster DD News, a university professor presented the robot as developed by the institution’s centre of excellence.
Social media users quickly identified the machine as the Unitree Go2, manufactured by China’s Unitree Robotics and widely available for about $2,800.
Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the clip on social media before later deleting the post.
Galgotias University subsequently clarified on X that it had not built the robot.
“Let us be clear, Galgotias has not built this robodog, neither have we claimed,” the university said.
— Galgotias University (@GalgotiasGU) February 17, 2026
It added that it was focused on training students to develop such technologies in the future.
The Indian National Congress opposition party criticised the government, linking the incident to Modi.
“The Modi government has made a laughing stock of India globally,” the party posted on X. “Chinese robots are being displayed as our own.”
The Modi government has made a laughing stock of India globally, with regard to AI.
In the ongoing AI summit, Chinese robots are being displayed as our own. The Chinese media has mocked us. This is truly embarrassing for India.
What is even more shameful is the fact that… pic.twitter.com/xaRwm7j9Wv
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 18, 2026
Logistical failures
The five-day summit, billed as the first major AI gathering hosted in the Global South, also encountered operational difficulties.
Delegates reported overcrowding and long queues. Some students with valid registrations were denied entry after gates were shut. Booths were reportedly evacuated mid-day.
Internet services at the venue were said to have failed, disrupting demonstrations and presentations at an event centred on digital innovation.
There were also allegations that startup equipment went missing inside what was described as a high-security venue.
As criticism mounted online, India’s IT minister issued a public apology on the second day, acknowledging organisational shortcomings.
Regional contrast
The difficulties contrasted with Pakistan’s Indus AI Week 2026.
According to official accounts and participants, the Pakistani event proceeded without any disruption.
Sessions began on time and no significant security or logistical issues were reported.
Observers noted that while India’s summit drew global leaders and major investment announcements, operational problems and public controversy dominated headlines.
