A brief but dramatic political confrontation unfolded at the high-profile AI Impact Summit in New Delhi when members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a protest targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, triggering heightened security and detentions inside the summit venue that was hosting global artificial intelligence leaders, policymakers and international delegates. The protestors entered Exhibition Hall No. 5 carrying and wearing white T-shirts printed with images of the Prime Minister alongside former US President Donald Trump, displaying slogans referencing the “India-US Trade Deal” and “Epstein Files,” and raising chants critical of the central government, leading to a commotion that briefly interrupted proceedings and resulted in heated verbal exchanges between attendees and demonstrators before security personnel intervened. According to Delhi Police officials, around ten individuals were detained and immediately removed to Tilak Marg Police Station, with authorities asserting that no breach of law and order would be tolerated during an international summit of such diplomatic and technological significance.
The AI Impact Summit, positioned as a major platform showcasing India’s ambitions in artificial intelligence innovation and digital governance, became an unexpected stage for escalating political tensions between the Congress party and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, as the youth wing of the Congress later circulated videos of the protest questioning why they were compelled to raise their voice inside the summit venue and alleging shrinking democratic space for dissent. In public statements, the Youth Congress argued that traditional avenues of protest were increasingly restricted, claiming that street demonstrations face curbs, online criticism is removed under IT regulations, and mainstream media fails to amplify opposition perspectives, thereby justifying their decision to protest at a global event drawing both domestic and international attention. The demonstrators insisted that their objection was not directed at the AI Summit itself but at what they described as policy compromises affecting national interests, particularly in relation to trade negotiations and employment concerns for Indian youth.
The ruling BJP has consistently maintained that India’s global engagements, including trade discussions and technology partnerships, are aimed at strengthening economic growth, attracting foreign investment and positioning the country as a leading digital power, while opposition leaders argue that transparency and accountability must accompany such agreements. The incident underscores the increasingly sharp political polarization in India, where global diplomatic and technology platforms are also becoming arenas for domestic political messaging. While the disruption at the AI Impact Summit was swiftly contained and proceedings resumed without major delay, the episode highlights the deepening Congress–BJP confrontation ahead of crucial electoral contests and reflects how issues related to trade policy, employment, digital regulation and international partnerships are likely to dominate India’s political discourse in the months ahead.
