PM Modi engages with tech leaders in New York, key meetings with Google’s Sundar Pichai and Adobe’s Shantanu Narayen

PTC News Desk: During his ongoing three-day visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a significant roundtable discussion with CEOs of prominent American technology firms on Sunday. The meeting, held at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, aimed to explore India's growth prospects and strengthen bilateral collaborations in key sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and semiconductors.

In a post on X, PM Modi described the session as "fruitful," emphasising the discussions around technology, innovation, and India's advancements in these fields. He expressed gratitude for the optimism shown by the participating leaders regarding India's potential.

The roundtable, organised by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, included representatives from 15 major US tech companies. Notable attendees included Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google; Shantanu Narayen, CEO of Adobe; Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture; and Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, among others.

During the meeting, PM Modi underscored the importance of technology collaboration and initiatives like the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies, which are central to the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. He reiterated his administration's commitment to making India the third-largest economy globally and urged the participating companies to leverage India’s growth story for mutual benefit.

The Prime Minister articulated his vision for India as a co-developer and co-designer of innovative technologies, stating, “They can co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India for the world, harnessing the opportunities from India’s economic and technological growth.”

In addressing the CEOs, PM Modi assured them of India's strong dedication to protecting intellectual property and fostering technological innovation. He highlighted the ongoing economic transformation in sectors such as electronics, IT manufacturing, and semiconductors, asserting his government's goal to establish India as a "global hub of semiconductor manufacturing."

He also discussed India's BIO E3 policy, aimed at transforming the country into a biotechnology powerhouse, and stressed the need for AI development to be ethical and responsible under the "AI for All" initiative.

The CEOs present at the roundtable responded positively, acknowledging India's emerging status as a global technology hub, driven by its innovation-friendly environment and expanding market opportunities. Many expressed a keen interest in investing in and collaborating with Indian startups, viewing it as an opportunity to innovate and develop new technologies.

Other notable attendees included Chris Viehbacher, CEO of Biogen; Chris Boerner, CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb; David A. Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly and Company; Tim Archer, CEO of LAM Research; Thomas Caulfield, CEO of GlobalFoundries; and Martin Schroeter, CEO of Kyndryl.

The Ministry of External Affairs, in a post on X, highlighted PM Modi's interactions with top tech leaders, reinforcing the goal of further cementing technology and business connections between India and the United States.

Earlier that day, PM Modi addressed a large gathering of the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Veterans Coliseum in Long Island and held bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

PM Modi's visit to New York follows his attendance at the Quad Leaders’ Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware, marking a pivotal moment in India’s efforts to enhance its global technological partnerships.

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