Modi’s recent visit to Italy for the G7 summit marked a significant step in India’s diplomatic engagements and technological ambitions

On June 14, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met in Italy for their fifth meeting. This encounter followed their previous meetings at the G20 India Summit and COP28 in Dubai, making it a significant continuation of their diplomatic engagements. Expressing his satisfaction, PM Modi highlighted that this visit to Italy was his first foreign trip in his third consecutive term as Prime Minister.

At the G7 summit, PM Modi emphasized India’s recent Lok Sabha election results, framing them as a victory for democracy worldwide. Addressing the G7 leaders, he asserted India’s commitment to representing the priorities and concerns of Global South countries on the global stage. Additionally, PM Modi had separate meetings with US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In a post on social media platform X, he expressed his pleasure in meeting President Biden and emphasized the continued collaboration between India and the US for global good. He also shared a photo with PM Trudeau, reinforcing the friendly relations between the two leaders.

PM Modi emphasized that India is committed to representing the priorities of the Global South, highlighting two upcoming Global South summits in Delhi in 2023. PM Modi also stressed the importance of collaboration with G7 countries to address global challenges.

Discussing the role of artificial intelligence (AI), a key theme of the G7 outreach session led by Prime Minister Meloni, PM Modi stressed the need for technology to be used constructively. He underscored India’s emphasis on international governance of AI during the G20 summit, advocating for AI to be transparent, fair, safe, accessible and responsible. French President Emmanuel Macron praised PM Modi’s initiatives on AI and digital public infrastructure as significant contributions during India’s G20 presidency.

Reflecting on the magnitude of India’s Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi drew comparisons with upcoming elections in Europe and the US, emphasizing the unique scale and swift results of Indian elections. He described them as the largest celebration of democracy and highlighted India’s ancient values as the “mother of democracy.” PM Modi articulated India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, stressing the importance of inclusive development that leaves no segment of society behind. He reiterated India’s commitment to addressing the concerns of Global South countries, which are disproportionately affected by global uncertainties.

Addressing technology’s transformative role, PM Modi noted that it touches all aspects of human life, from space exploration to cyber security challenges. He emphasized the collective responsibility to ensure that technological benefits reach all societal segments, eliminate inequalities and empower individuals. He advocated for transforming technological monopolies into widespread use, promoting a human-centric approach that enhances human potential. PM Modi highlighted India’s proactive approach to AI, launching the AI Mission this year under the mantra “AI for All” and leading the Global Partnership for AI to foster international cooperation.On the energy front, another focal point of the outreach session, PM Modi outlined India’s four principles: availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability. He highlighted India’s leadership in fulfilling COP commitments ahead of schedule and its efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2070.

He acknowledged the dual nature of technology as both an enabler of human achievement and a source of challenges like cyber security, advocating for its benefits to be shared equitably across society.

(The writer is a senior journalist; views are personal)