PM Modi Meets Tech Leaders in US to Boost Innovation Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his US visit, engaged with top industry leaders to discuss India's opportunities in semiconductor, biotech, and AI sectors. The meeting aimed at enhancing bilateral collaboration, including advances in AI, quantum computing, and semiconductor supply chains. Modi also addressed the Indian diaspora in New York.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the second day of his three-day United States visit, engaged with a host of industry leaders. Discussions focused on India's potential and opportunities spanning semiconductors, electronics, and biotechnology. Attendees included Adobe's Shantanu Narayen, Google's Sundar Pichai, IBM's Arvind Krishna, AMD's Lisa Su, and Moderna's Noubar Afeyan.

During discussions with leading US-based CEOs, Prime Minister Modi emphasized fostering greater collaborations in cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, semiconductors, and biotechnology. In a bilateral meeting on Saturday, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi praised joint efforts to create resilient, secure, and sustainable semiconductor supply chains. This includes GlobalFoundries' establishment of the GF Kolkata Power Center in India, increasing beneficial linkages in chip manufacturing research and development.

According to a joint fact sheet from the White House, the leaders welcomed new private sector cooperation on emerging technologies. Notably, IBM has concluded memoranda with the Indian government to integrate its Watsonx platform with India's Airawat supercomputer. The partnership aims to drive AI innovations, enhance R&D on advanced semiconductor processors, and support India's National Quantum Mission. Progress has been made since the signing of an MoU in November 2023 to bolster the countries' innovation ecosystems under the 'Innovation Handshake' agenda, including convening two industry roundtables.

While in New York, Prime Minister Modi also addressed a large gathering of the Indian community, who assembled from various parts of the country. On Day 1, Modi participated in the fourth Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, hosted by US President Joe Biden, and India agreed to host the next Quad Summit in 2025. The forum works towards peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. On Monday, Day 3, Modi will address the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, focusing on 'Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow'. Multiple global leaders are expected to participate, and Modi will hold bilateral meetings discussing mutual interests.

(With inputs from agencies.)