The Hindu Economic Forum (HEF) Pune District Chapter unveiled Pune’s ambitious $500 million AI roadmap at SHAKTI Summit 2026, held at the Pune International Centre. The summit also showcased ISACA, India’s indigenously developed autonomous surface craft designed for naval, defence, disaster management, and search-and-rescue operations.
The summit served as a platform for advancing Bharat’s Strategic Power Framework, focusing on strategic sectors including defence and aerospace, artificial intelligence, technology, infrastructure, knowledge and media, and the temple economy.
Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, attended the event as Chief Guest and unveiled ISACA. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among government, industry, investors, and knowledge institutions to drive India’s long-term growth and strategic self-reliance.
Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, said, “It gives me great pleasure to be present at SHAKTI Summit 2026. The word SHAKTI itself represents power, not merely physical power, but the power of knowledge, organisation, innovation, enterprise, technology, discipline, and a collective purpose. When such power is guided by dharma and national interest, it becomes a force for prosperity and social good.”
“India today stands at a defining moment. Across the world, supply chains are being reorganised. New technologies are transforming every sector. Artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electronics, defence, aerospace, robotics, advanced manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and the digital economy are no longer optional sectors. They are strategic pillars of national strength. For a nation of India’s size and ambition, economic strength and strategic strength cannot be separated. A strong economy gives strength to national security. A strong industry creates jobs. Strong research creates innovation. Strong entrepreneurs create new markets. Strong MSMEs create resilience. And strong values ensure that growth remains humane, inclusive, and purposeful,” Shri Varma added.
A key announcement at the summit was the Pune AI Vision, presented by Partex.AI. The roadmap outlines plans to build Pune into a global hub for applied AI, beginning with a $50 million foundation phase that includes distributed GPU clusters and an AI Model Foundry. The long-term vision aims to scale the initiative to $500 million, train 100,000 professionals, and develop AI solutions for defence, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors.
Gaurav Tripathi, President, HEF Pune District Chapter and Co-founder & CTO, Partex.AI, said, “The SHAKTI Summit 2026 marks a paradigm shift in how we approach economic growth. We are now building an execution-first ecosystem where serious capital, strategic industrial sectors, and civilizational clarity converge. The Pune AI Grid is positioning Pune as the Applied AI and Strategic Capital of Bharat by redoubling its manufacturing and digital prowess. By aligning our deep research talent, robust industrial shopfloors, and foundational infrastructure, we are turning national priorities like Atmanirbhar Bharat into measurable economic milestones.”
Dr. Gunjan Bharadwaj, Founder & CEO, Partex.AI, said, “The Pune AI Vision is an opportunity to leverage exploratory and exploitative innovation on a scale that few cities globally can match. By unifying Pune’s unique constellation of talent, we can build decision-making technology that transforms not just Indian industry, but the world. Partex is committed to being a partner in this vision, bringing our expertise in AI-driven platforms to accelerate innovation across defence, manufacturing, and life sciences.”
The summit also featured the first public display of ISACA by Accurate Industrial Controls. The autonomous surface vessel has undergone Indian Navy-evaluated trials and integrates AI, sensor fusion, and indigenous collision-avoidance software, marking a significant advancement in India’s maritime autonomy capabilities.
Said Shri Kiran Jadhav, Chairman & Managing Director, Accurate Group, said, “Indigenous autonomous vessel technology is a statement of India’s capability and our resolve for Atmanirbharta. At the SHAKTI Summit, we created the conditions for transformative solutions that will serve our nation’s defence and maritime strength.”
The event brought together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and experts for discussions on defence, aerospace, rare earths, infrastructure, technology, startups, artificial intelligence, and the temple economy.
To drive action beyond the summit, the HEF Pune District Chapter announced the formation of a Defence Working Group, aimed at ensuring structured follow-through on strategic initiatives discussed during the event.
Leave a Reply