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India–Canada: India’s growing leadership in inclusive and impact-oriented artificial intelligence was firmly underscored during the India–Canada AI Dialogue 2026, hosted by the Consulate General of India in Toronto. The dialogue brought together key stakeholders from both nations to explore how artificial intelligence can be developed and deployed in ways that generate economic value while remaining socially responsible. The event marked an important step in strengthening bilateral cooperation at a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping global economies and societies.

The dialogue was organised in collaboration with the University of Waterloo, the Canada India Tech Council, and Zoho Inc., reflecting a strong partnership between diplomatic institutions, academia, industry, and the innovation ecosystem. This multi-stakeholder approach highlighted the belief shared by both countries that meaningful progress in artificial intelligence requires collaboration across sectors rather than isolated efforts.

Global Context and Strategic Importance

The India–Canada AI Dialogue 2026 holds particular global relevance as it was one of the few pre-summit engagements organised ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from February 19 to 20. This upcoming summit is expected to be one of the largest artificial intelligence gatherings in the Global South, designed to bring together diverse voices and perspectives from around the world. The Toronto dialogue played a crucial role in building momentum and aligning international stakeholders with the broader objectives of the summit.

By positioning the dialogue as a precursor to a major global event, India demonstrated its intent to shape international conversations around artificial intelligence governance, ethical deployment, and real-world impact. Canada’s participation further reinforced the idea that trusted international partnerships are essential for addressing the complex challenges associated with emerging technologies.

Participation from Leaders Across Sectors

The event witnessed participation from more than 600 senior leaders, including policymakers, C-suite executives, researchers, and innovators from across Canada. Representatives from government institutions, private enterprises, academic bodies, and startup ecosystems came together to discuss pathways for advancing bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence. Such a diverse gathering ensured that discussions extended beyond theory to include practical insights on implementation, regulation, and innovation.

This level of engagement also reflected the growing recognition that artificial intelligence is no longer confined to research labs. It is now deeply embedded in governance systems, business operations, healthcare, education, and public services, making inclusive dialogue more critical than ever.

Emphasis on Responsibility and Human Impact

Addressing the gathering, India’s High Commissioner to Canada highlighted that the dialogue symbolised a shared commitment to shaping the future of artificial intelligence responsibly. He emphasised that collaboration with trusted partners like Canada can help ensure that innovation remains inclusive, ethical, and globally relevant. His remarks reinforced India’s position that technological leadership must go hand in hand with accountability and social responsibility.

From the Canadian side, the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation stressed that artificial intelligence is already influencing how societies function. He noted that the strength of the India–Canada AI Dialogue lay in its focus on impact, accountability, and human outcomes. According to him, both nations bring unique strengths to the table, along with a shared responsibility to ensure that artificial intelligence serves people, strengthens institutions, and delivers tangible economic benefits.

Ontario’s Perspective on Bilateral Collaboration

The Premier of Ontario also shared his views during the dialogue, highlighting the long-standing partnership between India and Canada. He pointed to strong trade and investment ties, people-to-people connections, and collaborative research initiatives in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. His remarks reflected Ontario’s interest in deepening engagement with India, particularly in areas where innovation and economic growth intersect.

He further appreciated the role played by the Indian Consulate General in Toronto in convening the dialogue and consistently fostering cooperation between the two countries. This acknowledgement underlined the importance of diplomatic leadership in enabling meaningful technology partnerships.

Toronto as a Global Artificial Intelligence Hub

Another key theme of the event was Toronto’s growing status as a global artificial intelligence hub. The city’s vibrant ecosystem of startups, research institutions, and technology companies positions it as an important bridge between North American and Indian artificial intelligence landscapes. Hosting the dialogue in Toronto allowed participants to tap into local expertise while creating opportunities for cross-border collaboration.

The Acting Consul General of India in Toronto highlighted that the city is among the world’s most dynamic artificial intelligence ecosystems. He noted that bringing the dialogue to Toronto enabled deeper connections between India’s rapidly expanding artificial intelligence sector and Canadian innovators. This interaction laid a strong foundation for sustained engagement leading up to the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and beyond.

Looking Ahead

The India–Canada AI Dialogue 2026 demonstrated how two diverse yet like-minded nations can come together to shape the future of artificial intelligence in a balanced and responsible manner. By focusing on inclusivity, ethical development, and real-world impact, the dialogue set a positive tone for future collaborations. As preparations continue for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the outcomes of this engagement are expected to influence policy discussions, research partnerships, and industry initiatives across both countries.