By Our Correspondent

New Delhi – A bizarre and uncomfortable moment between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and two of the world's top AI CEOs has triggered a wave of national embarrassment and fierce political backlash, after OpenAI's Sam Altman revealed he was "confused" when Modi suddenly grabbed his hand during a staged photo-op at the India AI Impact Summit.

The incident, which has since gone viral, occurred during a group photograph on the summit's main stage. As leaders assembled for the ceremonial shot, other dignitaries linked arms in a display of camaraderie.

But what followed left Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei visibly hesitant and awkward.

In a moment captured by multiple cameras, PM Modi can be seen reaching for Altman's hand, lifting it up in an apparent attempt to create a joined-hands tableau.

Altman's face registered clear confusion, his body language stiffening as he glanced around uncertainly. Amodei, standing nearby, similarly avoided participating in the linked-arms pose, creating an uncomfortably disjointed visual that social media quickly tore apart.

The embarrassment deepened hours later when Altman, speaking in a video on the sidelines, offered his candid version of events.

"I was sort of confused," Altman admitted. "Modi grabbed my hand and just put it up, and I just wasn't sure what we were supposed to do. I didn't know what was happening on stage. I was confused. He grabbed my hand, and I was wondering what we were supposed to do."

The admission landed like a bombshell in India's hyper-charged political environment.

For millions watching the footage, the image was painfully clear: two global technology leaders, invited to discuss India's AI future, instead found themselves unwilling participants in what critics called a manufactured political spectacle.

"This is so embarrassing to hear as an Indian," tweeted one user, capturing the sentiment sweeping across social media platforms.

The hashtag #PhotoOpModi began trending, with users sharing side-by-side comparisons of the awkward stage moment and Altman's bewildered expression.

Opposition leaders seized the opportunity with full force.

 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said "Instead of leveraging India’s talent and data, the AI summit is a disorganised PR spectacle - Indian data up for sale, Chinese products showcased."

Another opposition MP added: "Modi needs to stop his photo-op circus everywhere. The world's top tech leaders came to discuss serious policy, and they were treated as extras in a campaign commercial. Altman's words should wake up those still defending this nonsense."

The incident has also reopened uncomfortable comparisons with China's recently concluded Robotics and AI Day, where the focus remained squarely on technological demonstrations rather than political grandstanding.

Government spokespersons attempted damage control, dismissing the controversy as "manufactured" and emphasizing that the Prime Minister was simply trying to create a "warm, inclusive atmosphere." But the explanation did little to quell the rising tide of criticism.

Political analysts noted that the summit, intended to position India as a serious AI contender, has instead become a case study in how over-orchestrated optics can backfire spectacularly.

"What should have been India's moment to showcase technological ambition has become an international embarrassment," said political commentator Reeta. "When a CEO of Sam Altman's stature says he was confused and didn't understand what was happening on stage, it reflects poorly not on him, but on the entire organization and intent of the event."

For many Indians watching the footage repeatedly circulate online, the image of a hesitant Altman, arm awkwardly raised by the Prime Minister, has become symbolic of a deeper concern: that in the relentless pursuit of image-making, substance has been lost entirely.

As the summit continues behind closed doors, the damage may already be done. The world's AI leaders came to Delhi to discuss partnership and progress. Instead, they left with a story about a hand they never wanted to hold.