Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, during his visit to India on Wednesday, expressed admiration for the country’s strides in innovation, stating that India’s technological advancements are driving progress locally and globally.
Gates held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where they explored various topics, including technology, innovation, and sustainability. Following their meeting, Gates posted on X, “I had a great discussion with Narendra Modi about India’s development, the path to Viksit Bharat @ 2047, and exciting advancements in health, agriculture, AI, and other sectors that are creating impact today. It’s impressive to see how innovation in India is driving progress locally – and globally.”
Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the meeting, stating, “As always, an excellent meeting with Bill Gates. We spoke about diverse issues, including tech, innovation, and sustainability, towards making a better future for the coming generations.”
Gates also met Union Health Minister J P Nadda, where they reviewed the ongoing collaboration between the government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in healthcare. Nadda acknowledged the foundation’s support in strengthening health systems and advancing maternal health, immunization, and sanitation programs in India.
“We look forward to renewing our memorandum of cooperation, furthering our shared commitment to ensuring affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare for all citizens,” Nadda said in a post on X.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also had a discussion with Gates on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue. “Discussed development challenges, the promise of innovation, and the relevance of India,” Jaishankar posted on X.
During his visit, Gates met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, where they discussed leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics to enhance service delivery in healthcare, education, agriculture, and employment generation. Naidu praised the Gates Foundation’s contributions toward the state’s long-term development vision, ‘Swarna Andhra Pradesh 2047.’ “We believe this partnership with the Gates Foundation will play a crucial role in empowering our people and achieving this goal,” Naidu remarked.
Gates also paid a visit to the Indian Parliament, where the Budget Session is currently underway. Earlier, he had discussions with Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, focusing on food security, rural development, and the integration of AI and Machine Learning in agriculture.
“The Gates Foundation has been working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and we are planning new areas of cooperation,” Chauhan stated.
Gates’ visit underscored the growing role of technology and innovation in India’s developmental journey, reinforcing collaborative efforts between the Indian government and global institutions to drive economic and social progress.
