AI Summit in Delhi: echoes of home for world leaders

Although the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in the capital is seeing participation from heads of state and representatives of more than 20 countries, French President Emmanuel Macron, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had a special opportunity to encounter powerful symbols connected to their own nations right here in Delhi.

For French President Macron, India Gate could hold particular interest. If he visits it, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris would surely come to mind. The two monuments share remarkable similarities. India Gate was built in memory of Indian soldiers martyred in World War I, with the names of the fallen inscribed on its pillars. Similarly, the Arc de Triomphe honours French soldiers who sacrificed their lives in various wars, their names etched into its walls. Both stand as enduring tributes to courage and national sacrifice, bridging histories across continents.

India Gate to Paris

Many say that architect Edwin Lutyens drew inspiration from the Arc de Triomphe while designing India Gate.

India Gate was inaugurated on February 12, 1931, while the Arc de Triomphe’s construction began in 1806 on Napoleon’s orders and took nearly 30 years to complete. Today, it remains a core symbol of French national identity.

Landmark French school

Another significant French-linked site in Delhi is the Lycée Français International de Delhi, located on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road. Established in 1962, it has served for over six decades as a vibrant centre for French education, language, and culture, fostering Indo-French ties through generations of students from diverse backgrounds.

Meanwhile, the Embassy of France in India in Chanakyapuri flies the blue, white, and red flag — symbolising liberty, equality, and fraternity. The nearby Institut Français en Inde and Alliance Française de Delhi serve as dynamic cultural hubs, promoting the French language, art, cinema, and literature. These centres host exhibitions, film screenings, and festivals.

Sri Lankan guest house

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who has visited Delhi before, may already know about the Sri Lankan Buddhist Pilgrims’ Rest Guest House. Situated on Chelmsford Road, a short distance from New Delhi Railway Station, it was established in 1970 by the then Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Intended for Sri Lankan Buddhist pilgrims, it facilitates visits to key Buddhist sites in India, including Sarnath, Rajgir, Nalanda, and Bodh Gaya.

The guest house offers around three dozen rooms, houses a statue of Lord Buddha, and frequently accommodates Buddhist monks.

Buddha Jayanti Park

Sri Lanka’s deeper spiritual bond with Delhi is evident at Buddha Jayanti Park, where a sapling from the original Bodhi Tree was planted in 1960. Emperor Ashoka’s daughter, Sanghamitta, carried a cutting from the sacred Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, thereby spreading Buddhism there. Later, Sirimavo Bandaranaike gifted a descendant of that sacred lineage to this park as a symbol of enduring friendship.

Additionally, the Mahabodhi Temple on Temple Road has long been a focal point for Sri Lankan pilgrims; Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated it in 1939, adding another layer of shared heritage between the two nations.

It goes without saying that Sri Lanka’s serene Buddhist heritage and island symbolism converge in the capital. The High Commission of Sri Lanka in India in Chanakyapuri flies the Lion Flag. National Day observances feature flag hoisting, religious ceremonies, and receptions that emphasise pluralistic identity through the Sinhala and Tamil anthems. Cultural collaborations, such as Buddhist art exhibitions at the National Gallery of Modern Art and relic expositions, highlight Sri Lanka’s deep Buddhist ties with India.

The Brazil connection

For Brazilian President Lula da Silva, an emotionally resonant spot in Delhi is the York Christian Cemetery on Prithviraj Road. It has a symbolic grave commemorating the horrific air crash on June 14, 1972, in Jaitpur, South Delhi. Japan Airlines Flight 471 carried more than 80 passengers from Brazil, Japan, the United States, Britain, and other countries; tragically, all perished along with four people on the ground. The inscription reads: “In memory of those who lost their lives in the air disaster.” Even today, long-time Delhi residents recall the tragedy with sorrow. This quiet memorial serves as a poignant reminder of shared human vulnerability and the international nature of loss.

If Lula visits Connaught Place, it could evoke especially moving moments. His childhood was marked by extreme poverty; he earned a living by shining shoes. Having experienced hardship intimately, the vibrant, bustling streets of Delhi — with their mix of struggle, resilience, and everyday hustle — might mirror his own journey from humble beginnings to leadership, underscoring universal themes of perseverance and hope that transcend borders.

Finally, the Embassy of Brazil in India, located in Chanakyapuri, flies the green-and-yellow flag featuring the Southern Cross. Cultural events celebrate samba, bossa nova, and the Carnival spirit, with receptions on National Day highlighting music, dance, and cuisine. Art exhibitions and concerts, often in collaboration with institutions such as the India International Centre, showcase Brazilian creativity — from Oscar Niemeyer-inspired designs to contemporary works exploring shared themes such as agriculture between Brazil and India. These activities make Brazil’s joyful, multicultural identity tangible within Delhi’s urban landscape.