Happy to see immense optimism towards India: PM Modi meets top tech CEOs in New York

New York/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a fruitful roundtable with 15 tech CEOs in New York, including of Adobe, Accenture, Google and IBM, and discussed aspects relating to technology and innovation with them.

In a post on X, the PM said he was happy to see the immense optimism towards India.

“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.”

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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. pic.twitter.com/qW3sZ4fv3t

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024 >

A statement said the PM interacted with technology industry leaders in New York in a Roundtable anchored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), School of Engineering. The tech-roundtable focused on Artificial Intelligence and Quantum; Biotechnology and Life Sciences; Computing, IT and Communication; and Semiconductor technologies.

The CEOs participated in a deep dive with Prime Minister Modi on the evolving technology landscape at a global level and how these cutting-edge technologies are contributing to the well-being of people around the world including in India. They touched upon how technology is being leveraged for innovations, which have the potential to revolutionize the global economy and human development.

Prime Minister Modi appreciated the efforts of the MIT School of Engineering and its Dean for bringing the technology leaders together. He noted that technology collaboration and efforts such as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies [ICET] lie at the core of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

He stressed that in his third term, India will make every effort to become the third largest economy in the world. He encouraged the companies to take advantage of India’s growth story for collaboration and innovation. They can co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India for the world, harnessing the opportunities from India’s economic and technological growth. He assured the business leaders of India’s deep commitment to protection of intellectual property and to fostering tech-innovation.

The Prime Minister highlighted the economic transformation happening in India, particularly in electronics and information technology manufacturing, semiconductors, biotech and green development. He stated that his government was committed to making India a global hub of semiconductor manufacturing. He also dwelt on India’s BIO E3 policy to develop India into a biotech powerhouse. On AI, he noted that India’s policy is to promote AI for All, underpinned by its ethical and responsible use.

The CEOs expressed their strong interest in investing and collaborating with India. India's growing prominence as a global technology hub, driven by its innovation-friendly policies and flourishing market opportunities, got much appreciation from the tech-leaders. They also agreed that investing in startups would be a synergistic opportunity to innovate and develop newer technologies in India.

MIT Professor Anantha Chandrakasan, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at the Institute and Dean of the MIT School of Engineering, who chaired the roundtable, thanked Prime Minister and CEOs for their participation, affirming MIT’s commitment to advancing technology and making it accessible for global good.

The List of CEOs who attended the Roundtable included:

Julie Sweet, CEO, Accenture;

Shantanu Narayen, Chairman, President, and CEO Adobe;

Lisa Su, CEO AMD;

Chris Viehbacher, CEO Biogen Inc;

Chris Boerner, CEO Bristol Myers Squibb

David A. Ricks, CEO Eli Lilly and Company;

Sundar Pichai, CEO Google

Enrique Lores, CEO & President HP Inc.;

Arvind Krishna, CEO IBM;

Tim Archer, CEO LAM Research;

Noubar Afeyan, Chairman Moderna;

Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO Verizon;

Thomas Caulfield, CEO Global Foundaries;

Jensen Huang, Founder, President and CEO NVIDIA;

Martin Schroeter, CEO Kyndryl.