PM Modi discusses ‘Emerging Technology’ in meeting with tech CEOs in New York

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sep 23 met a host of industry leaders, ranging from semiconductors to electronics to biotechnology in New York, and discussed the potential and opportunities India has to offer in technology, innovation, and more.

Modi began his three-day visit to the United States on Sep 21 by participating in the fourth Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, hosted by US President Joe Biden.

Among those who participated at the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) roundtable were Chairman President and CEO Adobe Shantanu Narayen, CEO Google Sundar Pichai, CEO IBM Arvind Krishna, Lisa Su-Chair and CEO Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Noubar Afeyan-Chairman Moderna.

“Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation, and more. Also, highlighted the strides made by India in this field. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India,” said Modi in a post on X.

During a detailed meeting on “India-US bilateral ties” on Sep 21, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi praised combined efforts to facilitate resilient, secure, and sustainable semiconductor supply chains through GlobalFoundries' (GF) creation of the GF Kolkata Power Center, India, that will enhance mutually beneficial linkages in research and development in chip manufacturing.

According to a joint statement issued by the White House, the leaders welcomed new private sector cooperation on emerging technologies, such as through IBM's recent conclusion of memoranda of understanding with the Indian government, which will enable IBM's Watsonx platform on India's Airawat supercomputer and drive new AI innovation opportunities, enhance R&D collaboration on advanced semiconductor processors, and increase support for India's National Quantum Mission.

Both the leaders welcomed progress since the Nov 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Commerce Department and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to enhance the two countries' innovation ecosystems under the "Innovation Handshake" agenda.

Since the last year’s MOU, the two nations have convened two industry roundtables in the US and India to bring together startups, private equity and venture capital firms, corporate investment departments, and government officials to forge connections and to accelerate investment in innovation.

Prime Minister Modi on Sep 22 also addressed a huge gathering of the Indian community in New York, who converged in thousands from various parts of the country.

Following the request of the US side to host the Quad Summit this year, India has offered to host the next Quad Summit in 2025. The forum has emerged as a key group of the like-minded countries to work for peace, progress, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister Modi will address the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sep 23, before his departure to India. The theme of the Summit is 'Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow'.

Many global leaders are expected to participate in the Summit. Modi would be holding bilateral meetings with several world leaders discussing issues of mutual interest on the sidelines of the Summit.