Google CEO Meets PM Modi, Expresses Support For India’s G20 Presidency

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Google’s chief executive officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai on Monday (December 19) in New Delhi and talked about a range of topics involving innovation and technology.

After his meeting, Pichai tweeted that he was looking forward to supporting India’s G20 presidency to ‘advance an open, connected internet that works for all.’

“Thank you for a great meeting today PM @narendramodi. Inspiring to see the rapid pace of technological change under your leadership. Look forward to continuing our strong partnership and supporting India’s G20 presidency to advance an open, connected internet that works for all,” Google’s CEO tweeted. 

In response, PM Modi tweeted, “Was a delight to meet you @sundarpichai and discuss innovation, technology and more. It is important (that) the world continues to work together to leverage tech for human prosperity and sustainable development.”

Pichai also met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and discussed issues related to education and women’s economic empowerment. Lauding Pichai, Murmu called the Padma Bhushan recipient a symbol of Indian talent and wisdom, and urged him to work for universal digital literacy in the country.

The meeting came as part of Pichai’s ongoing visit to the country. Earlier in the day, the Indian-American business executive attended the Google for India event, which also witnessed the presence of Union Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. 

“India has a leadership role to play here. It’s important to make sure you’re balancing the safeguards you’re putting for people and creating innovative frameworks so that companies can innovate on top of certainty in the legal framework,” Pichai said while speaking at the high-profile event. 

At the event, Google unveiled a slew of initiatives and offerings for Indian audiences, including a speech diversity programme that purportedly intends to make the internet more helpful for Indians. Besides, the tech giant also announced extending support for early-stage and women-led startups under its India Digitization Fund. 

Google also announced a grant of $1 Mn for IIT-Madras to set up India’s first Center for Responsible AI.

This is not the first time that Pichai has expressed his support for India’s G20 presidency. Earlier this month, the Google CEO had said that the country’s G20 presidency would serve as an ‘amazing opportunity to build consensus on strengthening the global economy by advancing an internet that is open, connected, secure and works for everyone.’