AI Summit Marred by Chinese Robot Controversy, TMC Leader Demands Minister's Resignation
The Modi government's flagship India AI Impact Summit 2026, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was overshadowed by a significant controversy involving a Chinese-made robotic exhibit. The incident has sparked political fire, with Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra calling for the resignation of IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Mahua Moitra's Sharp Criticism and Call for Action
Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra, known as a fierce critic of the ruling BJP, launched a scathing attack on Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who also holds the railways and information & broadcasting portfolios. She accused him of making India a laughing stock on the global stage.
In a post on social media platform X, Moitra shared a now-deleted post by Vaishnaw in which he had praised a robodog displayed by Galgotias University at the summit. The minister had written, "Bharat's sovereign models are performing well on global benchmarks."
Moitra's response was biting: "Deleting tweets doesn’t change reality @AshwiniVaishnaw - you have made India a laughing stock. Quit the chair if you can’t do your job. Maybe join Galgotia as Professor of Spin?" This remark highlighted her view that the minister was attempting to spin the situation rather than address the core issue.
Government's Swift Response to the Embarrassment
As the controversy escalated into a major embarrassment for the government, swift action was taken. Authorities asked Galgotias University to vacate its stall at the AI Summit Expo, which was being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This move came after it was revealed that the robot, showcased by the university as "Orion," was actually the Unitree Go2, a commercially available product manufactured by Chinese robotics firm Unitree.
Observers quickly identified the quadruped robot, which is reportedly sold in India for approximately Rs 2–3 lakh. The display of a Chinese product at a summit meant to showcase India's AI prowess raised serious questions about oversight and authenticity.
Galgotias University's Apology and Blame Shifting
Hours after facing intense criticism, Galgotias University issued a formal statement apologizing for the confusion. However, the university placed all blame on a professor involved in the exhibition.
In the statement, the university expressed regret and clarified that the issue arose because Professor Neha Singh, who was managing the stall, was unaware of the product's technical origins. This explanation attempted to distance the institution from any intentional misrepresentation, but it did little to quell the political storm.
The incident has highlighted broader concerns about transparency and due diligence at high-profile government events, casting a shadow over what was intended to be a showcase of India's advancements in artificial intelligence.
