Modi meets Macron, Sunak, Zelenskyy
Monopoly in technology must end
BARI (ITALY), June 15:The world community must end the monopoly in technology and ensure its access for all to lay the foundation of an inclusive society and help eliminate social inequalities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.
In an address at the Outreach session of the summit of G7 advanced economies at Italy’s Apulia region, Modi said India will work with all countries to make Artificial Intelligence transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible.
The Prime Minister said India’s approach in the field of energy is based on four principles — availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability.
Highlighting the challenges facing the Global South, Modi said they are bearing the brunt of uncertainties and tensions around the world.
India has considered it its responsibility to put the priorities and concerns of countries of the Global South on the world stage, he said.
“In these efforts, we have given high priority to Africa. We are proud that the G-20, under the chairmanship of India, made the African Union a permanent member,” he said.
“India has been contributing to the economic and social development, stability and security of all the countries of Africa, and will continue to do so in the future,” Modi said.
In his address at the Outreach session, French President Emmanuel Macron praised Prime Minister Modi’s initiative on AI and digital public infrastructure during India’s G20 presidency.
In his remarks, US President Joe Biden mentioned Brazil, Argentina and India as critical partners in areas of minerals, officials said.
Prime Minister Modi spoke extensively on the importance of ending monopoly in technology.
For technology to be successful, it has to be underpinned by a human-centric approach. In this context, he shared India’s success in leveraging digital technology for public service delivery.
“We must make technology creative, not destructive. Only then will we be able to lay the foundation of an inclusive society. India is striving for a better future through this human-centric approach,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the monopoly in technology must be changed into its access for all.
Modi said India is among the first few countries to formulate a national strategy on artificial intelligence.
“Based on this strategy, we have launched the AI Mission this year. Its basic mantra is ‘AI for All’. As a founding member and lead chair of the global partnership for AI, we are promoting cooperation among all countries,” he said.
The Prime Minister said at the G-20 summit hosted by India last year, New Delhi stressed on the importance of international governance in the field of AI.
“In the future too, we will continue to work together with all countries to make AI transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible,” he said.
The Prime Minister said India’s approach in the field of energy is also based on four principles — availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability.
Alluding to India’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), he called upon the global community to join the tree plantation campaign launched by him on World Environment Day — “Plant4Mother” (Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam) and make it a mass movement with personal touch and global responsibility.
“We are making every possible effort to fulfill our commitment to achieve the target of Net Zero by 2070. Together we should make efforts to make the coming time a green era,” he said.
The Prime Minister also emphasised on plantations to increase green cover.
“We want to make tree plantation a mass movement with a personal touch and global responsibility. I urge all of you to join it,” he said.
Modi said it was a matter of great satisfaction for him to be attending the summit after his re-election in the largest democratic exercise in the history of humankind.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he had an excellent meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, their fourth meeting in one year, and discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership in areas like defence, nuclear and space.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 summit here in the southern resort town of Italy.
The meeting with Macron is Modi’s first official bilateral meeting with an international leader since taking charge for his third term as Prime Minister earlier this month.
Modi thanked President Macron for his warm wishes on assuming office for the third consecutive term.
“Had an excellent meeting with my friend President @EmmanuelMacron. This is our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-French ties,” Modi posted on X.
“Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also discussed how to encourage innovation and research among the youth,” he wrote.
Modi also met his British counterpart Rishi Sunak and reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthen the India-UK strategic partnership in the third term of the NDA government and reviewed the progress made in the ongoing FTA negotiations.
The two leaders greeted each other with a warm hug as they met on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia in Apulia.
“It was a delight to meet PM @RishiSunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government,” Modi posted on X soon after their meeting.
“There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector,” Modi wrote.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict and that the way to peace is through “dialogue and diplomacy”.
Modi met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Italy’s Apulia region.
The Prime Minister also told Zelenskyy that India believes in a “human-centric” approach. The two leaders exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and the upcoming Summit on Peace being hosted by Switzerland.
The Prime Minister described the meeting with the Ukranian President as “very productive” and said India is eager to “further cement” bilateral relations with Ukraine.
“Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said. (PTI)
Nadeem Nadu (ندیم مختار) 