PM Modi Meets Top US Tech CEOs, Asks Them To Make In India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the CEOs of some of the biggest American tech companies, with discussions focused around semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI). 

The roundtable organised at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on Sunday (September 22) saw PM Modi interact with the top executives of 15 US tech giants, including the likes of Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Jensen Huang of Nvidia, Adobe’s Shantanu Narayen, AMD CEO Lisa Su, among others. 

“Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation, and more. I also highlighted the strides made by India in these fields. I’m glad to see immense optimism toward India,” Modi said in a post on X after the meeting.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said that the roundtable focused on AI, biotechnology, computing, IT, communication, and Semiconductor technologies.

During the chat with the CEOs, PM Modi urged the companies to take advantage of “India’s growth story for collaboration and innovation”. With an eye on attracting investments into homegrown startups, he said that big tech companies can co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India for the world. 

He also assured the CEOs that India is “committed” to the protection of intellectual property and fostering tech-led innovation. Speaking about AI, he said that India’s policy on the emerging technology centres on promoting “ethical and responsible” use of AI for all.

Meanwhile, the CEOs, as per the statement, expressed “strong interest” in investing and collaborating with India. The statement added that the CEOs “agreed that investing in startups would be a synergistic opportunity to innovate and develop newer technologies in India”.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said, “India is having its moment, and Nvidia is excited to partner with India to advance AI.” 

He added that the chip making giant is committed to providing India with access to its most advanced technologies.

Meanwhile, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said that PM Modi asked Google to expand its efforts in the space of AI in the country. “He (PM Modi) has a clear vision and wants to ensure AI benefits the people of India,” Pichai added.

The developments came on the same day as PM Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in New York. At the event, he asserted that “Made in India” chips will soon be available in the US. 

Touting India’s progress in the electronics manufacturing space, he said that “nearly every major mobile brand” is now produced in India, adding that the country is the second-largest mobile manufacturer in the world.

He also noted that India’s 5G market is now larger than that of the US, a feat achieved in just two years. He said that India is actively working on developing an indigenous 6G network to solidify its leadership in future technologies.

The remarks came during PM Modi’s three-day visit to the US, where he also met US President Joe Biden. 

The two leaders agreed to set up a semiconductor fabrication plant in Kolkata, which would focus on advanced sensing, communication and power electronics for national security, telecommunications and green energy applications.