UN Secretary-General António Guterres meets President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, highlighting AI governance, UN Security Council reforms, Global South representation, multilateralism, and science-led guardrails for responsible artificial intelligence.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. The high-level meeting underscored India’s growing leadership role in global artificial intelligence governance and renewed calls for reforming multilateral institutions.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat, Guterres appreciated India’s initiative in convening the AI Impact Summit and lauded the country’s longstanding partnership with the United Nations across diverse sectors. The summit, held in New Delhi, has emerged as a major global platform for discussions on inclusive and responsible AI development.
Push for a Global Scientific Panel on AI
During the meeting, President Murmu welcomed Guterres’ proposal to establish a global scientific panel on artificial intelligence aimed at ensuring that AI technologies serve all of humanity. The initiative seeks to create a shared knowledge base to evaluate risks, promote innovation, and build international consensus on AI governance.
The President emphasized that in an era marked by geopolitical instability and technological disruption, multilateralism is under increasing strain. She noted that widening trust deficits and outdated institutional frameworks have weakened global cooperation.
Urgent Call for UN Security Council Reform
President Murmu strongly reiterated India’s longstanding position on reforming the United Nations Security Council. She stressed that the current structure no longer reflects contemporary geopolitical realities and fails to provide adequate representation to developing nations.
“The existing outdated framework of the UN Security Council must be reformed to reflect current global dynamics, and the Global South must have a greater voice in decision-making,” the statement quoted her as saying. She added that meaningful and urgent reform is essential to preserve the credibility, relevance, and effectiveness of the United Nations system.
Referring to the ‘UN-80’ reform initiative, President Murmu observed that while it provides a constructive platform for dialogue, any restructuring process must safeguard the developmental priorities of the Global South. She reaffirmed India’s full support for multilateralism and extended her best wishes to Guterres for the remainder of his tenure.
Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Earlier in the day, Guterres also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where discussions focused on ensuring that artificial intelligence remains inclusive, equitable, and development-oriented. Both leaders explored how the United Nations can play a constructive role in shaping global AI governance frameworks.
The discussions reflected India’s ambition to position itself as a key architect of international AI norms, particularly in advocating for equitable access and technology transfer for developing countries.
Warning Against AI Fragmentation
Addressing the AI Impact Summit 2026, Guterres raised concerns about growing technological rivalry and the risks of global AI fragmentation. He warned that without common standards, countries could adopt incompatible policies and technical frameworks, undermining global cooperation.
“Technological rivalry is growing. Without a common baseline, fragmentation wins,” he cautioned. He called for the establishment of interoperable global standards that would allow AI systems developed in one country to function seamlessly across borders.
According to Guterres, shared benchmarks for testing systems and measuring risks would empower startups and innovators worldwide. “When we agree on how to test systems and measure risk, we create interoperability,” he said, noting that harmonized standards would enable businesses in New Delhi and beyond to scale globally with confidence.
Science-Led Guardrails for Responsible AI
Guterres also emphasized the need for science-based AI guardrails to protect human rights and uphold human agency. He argued that understanding the capabilities and limitations of AI systems would allow policymakers to move from broad restrictions to smarter, risk-based regulations.
“Guardrails must protect people, uphold human rights, and preserve human agency,” he said, stressing that responsible governance frameworks can accelerate innovation rather than hinder it.
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The meeting between Guterres and President Murmu signals a convergence of priorities between India and the United Nations: reforming global governance institutions while shaping the future of artificial intelligence through inclusive, science-driven, and multilateral cooperation.
