Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his first international visit during his third term heading to Italy just four days after taking office. This trip occurring even before his confidence vote highlights the importance of the G7 outreach in his agenda.
Engagement with the Global South
Italy’s resort town of Fasano in the Apulia region hosted the G7 Summit where India was among 12 countries invited. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended these invitations as part of her initiative to involve the Global South with the G7, a group often perceived as exclusive. Meloni aimed to dismantle the "West vs. the Rest" narrative, symbolized by her invitation to Pope Francis, who addressed the G7 for the first time.
India's Presence and Agenda at the G7 Summit
During the summit, PM Modi highlighted India's stance on critical global issues. He engaged with prominent leaders including Pope Francis, U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. Modi stressed India's dedication to global welfare addressing topics such as cybersecurity, the application of artificial intelligence for developmental purposes and the transition to sustainable energy solutions.
PM Modi’s early visit to Italy during his third term reflects his commitment to participating in global dialogues and positioning India as a key player on the international stage. By engaging with world leaders and advocating for essential global issues, Modi highlighted India's proactive role in shaping a collaborative and inclusive future.
In a concise yet impactful address at the Outreach Session of the recent G7 Summit in Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined three critical priorities for India: the advancement of technology and Artificial Intelligence, ensuring energy security, affordability and enhancing the delivery of services to the most remote areas of the country.
Embracing Technology and Artificial Intelligence
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the transformative power of technology by urging global leaders to work together to ensure its benefits reach every segment of society. He emphasized that technology should be a tool to unlock human potential and bridge social divides rather than exacerbate them.
He highlighted the necessity of connecting technology to promote equality and enhance human capabilities. "The twenty-first century is the century of technology," Modi stated, reflecting on its profound impact on all facets of human life. He pointed out that while technology enables extraordinary achievements such as space exploration it also introduces new challenges like cybersecurity threats.
Energy Security and Affordability
Energy security and affordability were also prominent in Modi's address. He stressed the importance of ensuring that energy resources are both secure and accessible to all, highlighting the need for sustainable energy solutions. This focus aligns with India's broader goals of economic development and environmental responsibility.
Last Mile Service Delivery
The Prime Minister also emphasized the significance of effective service delivery to the most remote and underserved populations in India. He called for a collective effort to ensure that government services reach every citizen by enhancing overall social welfare and development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the G7 Summit emphasised India's commitment to leveraging technology for social good, securing energy resources and improving service delivery. His vision calls for international cooperation to connect technology's full potential, address energy challenges and ensure inclusive development for all sections of society.
Converting Monopolies into Mass Usage
The prime minister highlighted the need to transform technological monopolies into tools for widespread use. He emphasized that monopolization refers to the complete control over a particular field or resource, which restricts others from sharing, influencing, or accessing it.
The Role of Technology in Society
He stressed the importance of making technology a force for creativity rather than destruction. By doing so, he believes we can establish the foundation for an inclusive society. The prime minister stated that India is pursuing a human-centric approach to secure a brighter future.
India's Pioneering Efforts in AI
India is one of the pioneering nations to develop a National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence. This strategy highlights the country's commitment to integrating AI in a way that benefits its citizens.
Building Public Digital Infrastructure
India has made significant strides in creating public digital infrastructure to serve its people. Notable initiatives include UPI (Unified Payments Interface), Jan Dhan (financial inclusion program), Aadhaar (biometric identification system), ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce), and CoWin (COVID-19 vaccination platform). These efforts demonstrate the Indian government's focus on ensuring that the advantages of its technological advancements extend beyond its borders, benefiting other nations as well.
Global Benefits of Indian Innovations
A key objective of the Indian government has been to ensure that its innovations not only serve its population but also provide benefits globally. This reflects a broader vision of using technology to foster inclusive growth and international cooperation.
India's Commitment to AI: Emphasizing Global Collaboration and Ethical Implementation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India's AI Mission, which aligns with the principle "AI for All." This initiative aims to connect the potential of artificial intelligence to benefit everyone. As a key player and the leading chair of the Global Partnership for AI, India is actively fostering international collaboration in this field.
Promoting International Cooperation
During his address, PM Modi emphasized India's role in promoting cooperation among nations regarding AI development and governance. Reflecting on the G-20 Summit hosted by India last year, he reiterated the significance of establishing international regulations and governance frameworks for AI. He assured that India will continue to work with global partners to ensure that AI technologies are transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible.
Ensuring Safe and Trusted Use of AI
India has consistently advocated for the safe, trusted use of AI and other emerging technologies. The country’s approach emphasizes the importance of deploying the internet and AI in a manner that is secure and trustworthy, ensuring that these technologies serve the greater good without compromising ethical standards or safety. Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi, participation in the summit emphasizes India’s commitment to engaging with global leaders on critical issues like AI governance and cooperation.
India's AI Mission, guided by the mantra “AI for All”, reflects the nation's dedication to leveraging AI for the benefit of humanity. Under the leadership of PM Modi, India continues to advocate for international collaboration and ethical standards in AI development. The emphasis on safe, transparent, and fair use of AI technologies signifies India's proactive stance in shaping a responsible future for AI on the global stage.
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