A political controversy erupted on Thursday after Bill Gates did not deliver his scheduled keynote speech at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The Microsoft co-founder had been expected to address the gathering on the fourth day of the high-profile global technology event.
Reacting strongly, Priyanka Chaturvedi, senior leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), said the development reflected a “moment of moral clarity” on an international platform hosted by India.
“Arrogance of Power Being Tamed”
Taking to social media platform X, Chaturvedi wrote that the decision was “much needed” and described it as the “arrogance of power being tamed.” She pointed out that there was “no keynote, no presence and no welcome” at a summit of global importance.
Without naming specifics, she also referred to justice for women, stating that the fight for dignity is always worth pursuing. “Moral courage matters, especially when the world is watching,” she wrote, linking the issue to broader ethical concerns.
Gates Foundation Issues Clarification
In response to the growing buzz, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation released an official statement. The foundation said that after careful consideration, it was decided that Gates would not deliver the keynote in order to ensure that the summit’s core priorities remain the focus.
The foundation confirmed that it would still be represented at the summit by Ankur Vora, President of its Africa and India offices, who is scheduled to address the gathering later.
The statement further emphasised that the foundation remains fully committed to its ongoing health and development initiatives in India.
Earlier Reports and India Visit
Earlier in the week, media reports had suggested that Gates might skip the summit despite being in India. At that time, the foundation had denied the reports and maintained that he would speak as planned.
Gates had arrived in India earlier this week and visited Andhra Pradesh, where he met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. Several development projects supported by the foundation were inaugurated during his visit.
Global Attention and Controversy
His absence from the summit has also drawn attention due to recent global discussions following references to him in newly released Epstein-related documents. The fresh document disclosures have sparked widespread debate internationally, adding to the scrutiny around public figures mentioned in the files.
