PM Modi was speaking at the summit on the invitation of Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni. He addressed a session on Artificial Intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean.Leaders from other invited countries and Pope Francis also participated in the session.
PM Modi spoke on India’s commitment to advocating for the priorities and concerns of these countries on the world stage. “In these efforts, we have given high priority to Africa. We are proud that the G-20, under the chairmanship of India, made the African Union a permanent member,” he said.
He pointed out India’s contributions to the economic, social, and security development of African countries and assured continued support in the future. “India has been contributing to the economic and social development, stability, and security of all the countries of Africa, and will continue to do so in the future,” PM Modi said.
He spoke on the necessity of ending technological monopolies, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI). “We must make technology creative, not destructive. Only then will we be able to lay the foundation of an inclusive society. India is striving for a better future through this human-centric approach,” he said.
India is among the first nations to develop a national strategy for AI, PM Modi noted. “Based on this strategy, we have launched the AI Mission this year. Its basic mantra is ‘AI for All’. As a founding member and lead chair of the global partnership for AI, we are promoting cooperation among all countries,” he said.
At the G-20 summit last year in New Delhi, India stressed the need for international governance in AI. “In the future too, we will continue to work together with all countries to make AI transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible,” he said.
Modi also detailed India’s approach to energy based on four principles: availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability. “We are making every possible effort to fulfill our commitment to achieve the target of Net Zero by 2070. Together we should make efforts to make the coming time a green era,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, PM Modi met with his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak and discussed strengthening the India-UK strategic partnership. The leaders also reviewed ongoing FTA negotiations.
PM Modi on X said after his meeting, “It was a delight to meet PM Rishi Sunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector.”
Before meeting Sunak, PM Modi also held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and extended his best wishes for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The two leaders met during the ongoing G7 summit.
“I conveyed my best wishes to him on the hosting of the Paris Olympics which begins next month,” Modi posted on X after his meeting with Macron.
The Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in Paris from July 26 to August 11.
PM Modi also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, emphasising India’s commitment to a ‘human-centric’ approach. He stressed that the path to peace lies in ‘dialogue and diplomacy.’
PM Modi described the meeting as ‘very productive’ and wrote on X, “Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy.”