PM Modi Highlights India’s Democratic and Technological Advancements at G7 Summit

Pictures Source: x.com/narendramodi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his visit to Italy on Friday, participating in the 50th G7 summit where he engaged with leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US. The summit focused on pivotal issues such as climate change and artificial intelligence.

Reflecting on his visit on X, Modi shared, “Had a very productive day at the G7 Summit in Apulia. Interacted with world leaders and discussed various subjects. Together, we aim to create impactful solutions that benefit the global community and create a better world for future generations. I thank the people and government of Italy for their warm hospitality.”

India was among the 12 countries and five international organizations invited by Italy for the G7 Summit’s outreach session. Modi’s address covered India’s democratic achievements, technological advances, green energy goals, and support for the Global South.

Democratic Achievements

Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s success in managing large-scale democratic elections with transparency. He presented statistics showcasing the scale and efficiency of the electoral process.

“The uniqueness and magnitude of the elections in India can be understood from some figures: More than 2600 political parties, more than 1 million polling booths, more than 5 million Electronic Voting Machines, 15 million polling staff, and about 970 million voters, out of which 640 million people exercised their franchise. The entire electoral process has been made fair and transparent by the ubiquitous use of technology,” Modi stated.

He emphasized that the results of such a vast election were declared within hours, underscoring the robustness of India’s democratic framework.

Modi also expressed gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve India for a third consecutive term, a first in six decades, which he hailed as a victory for democracy globally.

Technological Advancements

Modi underscored the critical role of technology in contemporary life, stressing the importance of ensuring its benefits reach all sections of society. He highlighted India’s proactive AI strategies and its contributions to international AI governance.

“The twenty-first century is the century of technology. There is hardly any aspect of human life that is deprived of the influence of technology. While on one hand technology gives the courage to take man to the moon, on the other hand it also creates challenges like cyber security,” Modi noted.

He detailed India’s human-centric approach to AI, mentioning the launch of the National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence and the A.I. Mission under the mantra “A.I. for All”. India, as a founding member and lead chair of the Global Partnership for AI, promotes international cooperation in AI governance.

“During the G-20 Summit hosted by India last year, we emphasized the importance of international governance in the field of A.I. In the time to come, we will continue to work together with all countries to make A.I. transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible,” Modi added.

Green Energy Goals

Addressing energy policies, Modi outlined India’s commitment to sustainability through four key principles: availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability.

He highlighted India’s achievements in meeting COP commitments ahead of schedule and reiterated the country’s goal of achieving Net Zero by 2070. “India is the first country to fulfil all the commitments made under COP before time. And we are making every effort to fulfil our commitment to achieve the target of Net Zero by 2070,” Modi declared.

He introduced the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment) and the campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (A Tree for the Mother) to promote environmental responsibility.

Modi urged global participation in these initiatives to foster a green era.

Support for the Global South

Modi reiterated India’s commitment to supporting the Global South, particularly Africa. He highlighted India’s efforts in giving the African Union permanent membership in the G20 and its contributions to the economic and social development of African countries.

“The countries of the Global South are bearing the brunt of global uncertainties and tensions. India has considered it its responsibility to place the priorities and concerns of the countries of the Global South on the world stage. We have given high priority to Africa in these efforts,” Modi stated.

He emphasized India’s continued efforts in promoting stability, security, and development across Africa and its resolve to build a developed India by 2047, ensuring no segment of society is left behind.

The Prime Minister concluded by highlighting the deep convergence of priorities among the G7 nations and India’s commitment to ongoing dialogue and cooperation on critical global issues. He reaffirmed India’s resolve to work collectively with international partners for a better and more inclusive future.