PM Modi Courts Vinod Khosla to Bolster India’s AI and Tech Ambitions

New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Vinod Khosla, founder of Silicon Valley venture capital firm Khosla Ventures, to discuss strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem and attracting foreign investment in key technology sectors. The meeting, held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, underscores India’s commitment to becoming a global innovation leader, particularly in artificial intelligence and sustainable ventures.

Focus on AI, Entrepreneurship, and Investment

The discussion centered on fostering collaboration in technology, AI, and sustainable ventures, according to a statement released following the meeting. Vinod Khosla, known for his early investments in transformative technologies, explored potential partnerships and investment strategies to accelerate India’s growth in these areas. The Prime Minister emphasized India’s growing appeal as a hub for startups and venture capital.

India’s Push for Global Tech Leadership

This meeting is part of a broader effort by the Modi administration to strengthen ties with leading technology leaders and venture capitalists. Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi convened foreign leaders, representatives from major Silicon Valley companies, and thousands of Indian entrepreneurs for a series of meetings focused on deal-making and investment opportunities in India’s tech sector.

Vinod Khosla’s Background and Influence

Vinod Khosla is a prominent figure in the technology world, best known as a co-founder of Sun Microsystems alongside Scott McNealy, Bill Joy, and Andy Bechtolsheim. He has a long history of backing innovative companies and is a vocal advocate for technological solutions to global challenges. His firm, Khosla Ventures, focuses on investments in areas such as AI, healthcare, and sustainable energy.

Silicon Valley’s Role in India’s Digital Transformation

The Prime Minister has consistently recognized the significant contributions of Indian entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley to India’s digital transformation. He previously highlighted the role of the Indian diaspora in shaping the knowledge economy during a 2015 visit to Silicon Valley, mentioning Khosla and Prabhu Goel (founder of Gateway Design Automation) as pioneers. The recent appointments of Indian-born tech executives to leadership positions at major US tech companies have further strengthened the US-India technology relationship.

Key Takeaways

• Prime Minister Modi met with Vinod Khosla to discuss strengthening India’s tech ecosystem.
• The focus of the discussion was on AI, entrepreneurship, and attracting foreign investment.
• India is actively seeking to position itself as a global leader in innovation and technology.
• Vinod Khosla’s expertise and network are seen as valuable assets in achieving these goals.