On his official visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a high-level round table discussion with some of the most influential figures in the American tech industry. The meeting, held in New York, brought together leaders from sectors such as biotechnology, semiconductors, electronics, and artificial intelligence (AI), with the goal of exploring India’s potential for innovation and collaboration in these areas. Attendees included Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai, IBM’s CEO Arvind Krishna, and Noubar Afeyan, Chairman of Moderna, among others.
Focus on Innovation and Growth
During the discussions, PM Modi emphasized India’s strides in technology and its immense growth potential. He also highlighted the country’s ambitions to foster collaboration with global industry leaders to push forward technological advancements in sectors like AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, and biotechnology. Sharing the outcome of the meeting on social media, PM Modi expressed optimism about India’s future in tech, writing, “Had a fruitful round table with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation, and more. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India.”
The meeting followed bilateral talks between India and the US on strengthening the global semiconductor supply chain, a sector critical for both economies. India has been working towards bolstering its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, an initiative supported by the recent establishment of GlobalFoundries’ (GF) Kolkata Power Centre, which aims to benefit both nations through enhanced semiconductor research and development.
India’s Role in Emerging Technologies
The round table, organized by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), served as a platform to explore collaboration opportunities between the industries in the US and India, particularly in AI, semiconductors, and biotech. With India increasingly becoming a global hub for technological innovation, the discussions focused on how the country can leverage its strengths to drive growth in these critical fields.
According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi emphasized India’s vision for the future and outlined several initiatives aimed at fostering innovation across diverse sectors. “The Prime Minister discussed the importance of collaboration in emerging technologies and India’s potential to become a global leader in innovation,” Jaiswal shared on X.
Strengthening the Semiconductor Supply Chain
The meeting came just a day after PM Modi’s bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden, during which both leaders underscored the significance of semiconductor collaboration. As global demand for semiconductors continues to surge, India and the US are committed to working together to secure supply chains and advance semiconductor technology.
A fact sheet released by the White House confirmed that the two leaders agreed on ongoing collaboration to develop emerging technologies, ranging from AI to advanced semiconductor processors, as part of their broader vision for strengthening bilateral ties in tech and innovation.
Engagement with the Indian-American Community
Ahead of the CEO round table, PM Modi addressed a large gathering of the Indian-American community on Long Island, where he spoke about India’s achievements and aspirations in the global technology landscape. His speech resonated with the diaspora, who turned out in large numbers to hear him discuss India’s future on the world stage.
UNGA Summit of the Future
On the final day of his visit, PM Modi is scheduled to address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The summit will be a key platform for discussing global challenges and opportunities, with Modi expected to outline India’s vision for a sustainable and technology-driven future.
Summing Up
PM Modi’s discussions with tech leaders during his US visit have set the stage for deeper collaboration between India and the US in AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, and other emerging technologies. With key industry leaders like Sundar Pichai and Arvind Krishna expressing optimism about India’s growth prospects, this meeting marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward becoming a global innovation powerhouse.