New York: As part of his ongoing US visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in strategic discussions with top global tech leaders, setting the stage for India’s growing role in emerging technologies. The meeting, held on Day 2 of his visit, brought together prominent CEOs from major industries, including semiconductors, biotechnology, and electronics, reflecting India’s increasing importance in the global technology landscape.
A High-Powered CEO Roundtable 
Prime Minister Modi’s roundtable meeting with CEOs emphasized the potential of India as a global technology hub. The event saw participation from renowned industry leaders, including:
- Shantanu Narayen, CEO of Adobe
- Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google
- Arvind Krishna, CEO of IBM
- Lisa Su, CEO of AMD
- Noubar Afeyan, Chairman of Moderna
The discussion highlighted the pivotal role India can play in global innovation, focusing on the vast opportunities available in technology, biotechnology, and AI. PM Modi emphasized India's rapid strides in these sectors, expressing optimism about the future of India's digital and technological ecosystem.
"Engaged in a productive roundtable with tech industry leaders in New York, where we explored various facets of technology and innovation. I also emphasized India's significant advancements in these areas. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India,” said PM Modi in a post following the meeting.
Strengthening Semiconductor Supply Chains: GlobalFoundries Collaboration
A key highlight of PM Modi's discussions with President Joe Biden on Saturday revolved around efforts to secure and strengthen global semiconductor supply chains. They welcomed GlobalFoundries' (GF) strategic initiative of creating the GF Kolkata Power Center, which will drive innovation in semiconductor manufacturing. This center is poised to enhance research and development in advanced chip manufacturing, further solidifying India’s role in the global tech ecosystem.
The bilateral talks underscored India and the United States' shared commitment to building resilient and sustainable semiconductor supply chains, which are critical to the future of global industries, including electronics, automotive, and artificial intelligence.
IBM's Collaboration with India on AI and Quantum Computing
In line with the growing focus on emerging technologies, the leaders applauded IBM's recent partnership with India. This collaboration is set to propel India's capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. IBM's Watsonx platform will soon power India’s Airawat supercomputer, ushering in a new era of AI-driven innovation in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and education.
This partnership is part of a broader effort to support India’s National Quantum Mission, a strategic initiative that aims to harness quantum technologies for groundbreaking advancements in computing and communications.
Innovation Handshake: Strengthening Bilateral Innovation Ecosystems
The US-India relationship took another step forward with the Innovation Handshake initiative, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US Commerce Department and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in November 2023. Since the signing, the two nations have hosted several industry roundtables to foster closer ties between startups, venture capitalists, corporate investors, and government officials from both countries.
These roundtables have been instrumental in driving investment in innovation, with a focus on accelerating technology-driven industries such as AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, and green technologies.
A Warm Reception from the Indian Diaspora
While in New York, Prime Minister Modi addressed a massive gathering of the Indian diaspora on Sunday, where thousands of enthusiastic supporters from across the United States came together to celebrate India's progress on the global stage. PM Modi expressed his gratitude to the Indian-American community for their unwavering support, highlighting their significant contributions to strengthening India-US relations.
The event was a testament to the deep cultural and economic ties that bind the two nations, with the Indian community playing a pivotal role in driving innovation and collaboration across industries.
Quad Leaders’ Summit: Strengthening the Indo-Pacific Alliance
On the first day of his visit, Prime Minister Modi participated in the fourth Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware. The summit, hosted by President Biden, brought together leaders from India, the US, Japan, and Australia. The Quad alliance, which has gained prominence in recent years, focuses on promoting peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
PM Modi’s leadership in the Quad has been instrumental in advancing cooperative initiatives across areas like maritime security, clean energy, and emerging technologies. During the summit, India announced its intention to host the next Quad Summit in 2025, further cementing its role as a key player in regional security and diplomacy.
Looking Ahead: PM Modi to Address UN’s Summit of the Future 
As Prime Minister Modi’s visit continues, all eyes are on his upcoming address at the Summit of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday. The theme of the summit, “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow", resonates with India’s vision for global cooperation in solving pressing global challenges, such as climate change, sustainable development, and technological transformation.
PM Modi is expected to meet with several world leaders on the sidelines of the summit, engaging in discussions on issues of mutual interest, including trade, climate action, and global governance.
Conclusion: A Stronger US-India Partnership in Technology
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States has set a positive tone for the future of India-US relations, particularly in the technology and innovation sectors. His engagements with global tech CEOs, coupled with collaborative initiatives in semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing, signal a new era of cooperation between the two countries. As India continues to position itself as a global technology hub, the partnerships and dialogues established during this visit will play a critical role in shaping the future of both nations’ economies.
India’s technological ambitions, backed by strong collaborations with the US, underscore the country’s potential to lead in emerging technologies, drive innovation, and create solutions that benefit the global community.
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