America-India is the AI power of the new world: PM Modi

New York, September 22 : Greeted by a crowd of more than 15,000 Indian Americans, in the vast Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi heaped praise on the Indian diaspora, and championed the US-India relationship. Calling Indian Americans the Ambassadors who were responsible for the strong ties between the two democracies, Modi added a new dimension between them based on a play with words. Artificial intelligence or AI, can now be called the America-India spirit.

 “For the world, AI means artificial intelligence, but for me, AI also means American-Indian spirit. This is the new ‘AI’ power of the world….I salute the Indian diaspora here.” Those gathered in the Nassau Coliseum had come from at least 42 states of the United States, to see the Indian leader.

PM Modi said that the Indian Diaspora has always been the country’s strongest brand ambassadors. The crowd gave him a standing ovation as he entered the event venue, and hung on his every word with frequent applause and shouting of slogans as he spoke.  Talented artists from the Indian community performed on stage.

“I have always understood your potential… the potential of the Indian diaspora. You have always been India’s strongest band ambassador for me. That’s why I call all of you ‘Rashtradoot’.” He dwelt on how even before holding any office, he had visited the United States and traveled to 49 states meeting members of the diaspora, just as he had traveled all over India to hear from the people about their aspirations and expectations.

He joked about how, “Now, Apna Namaste has also become multinational. It has gone from local to global and you have done all this. Every Indian who keeps India in his heart has done this. You have connected India with America and America with India. Your skill, talent, and commitment are unmatched. Despite being overseas, no ocean can separate you from India,” PM Modi added.

He also praised the Indian community for keeping up the tradition of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” that means “the world is one family.”

“Wherever we go, we treat everyone as family and mingle with them. Understanding diversity, living it, implementing it in our lives… it is in our values. Someone speaks Tamil… someone Telugu, someone Malayalam, someone Kannada… someone Punjabi, someone Marathi, someone Gujarati… There are many languages, but the feeling is one… and that feeling is – Indianness,” said PM Modi.

He noted that the India-US relationship is profoundly enriched by the Indian American community, which plays a pivotal role in fostering ties between the two great democracies. He spoke about his meeting with President Biden the previous day in his home in Delaware. This special gesture reflected the bridge of trust that the Indian community has built with the United States, he said.

He also addressed his vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047. He noted that the largest democratic exercise in human history had given him a historic third term, in which he was committed to work for the progress of India with ever greater dedication. He highlighted transformative changes in India in the last decade- from creation of next-generation infrastructure to pulling 250 million people out of poverty, India’s economic growth and going from being the 10th largest economy to the 5th largest, and now aiming at becoming the third largest economy in the world.

Prime Minister Modi underlined the government’s commitment to pursuing reforms to meet the aspirations of the people. He referred to the new vibrancy in the country, with innovation, entrepreneurship, start-ups, financial inclusion and digital empowerment propelling growth and prosperity. He highlighted the transformative impact at the grassroots level of women-led development and green transition.

He pointed to India being a major contributor to global growth, prosperity, peace and security, climate change action, innovation, supply and value chains, and in filling global skill-gaps. India’s voice today resonated deeper and louder in the global arena, he said.

He announced plans to open two new Indian consulates in the US- in Boston and Los Angeles – and a Thiruvalluvar Chair of Tamil studies in the University of Houston. These initiatives would further strengthen the living bridge between India and its diaspora in the United States, he contended.. He expressed the hope that the strong Indian diaspora, would continue to play a crucial role in fostering closer ties between India and the US.

Speaking on the diversity of India, PM Modi said, “We are residents of a country where there are hundreds of languages and dialects, all the religions and sects of the world. Still, we are moving ahead united and noble. This is our biggest strength to connect with the world. These values naturally bind us to the world.”

Praising the Indian diaspora for their talent and skill, he said that they connect India to America.

“You have connected India to America and America to India. Your skill, talent, and commitment have no competition. You might have come seven seas apart, but no sea has that much depth that it can distance you from India. What Ma Bharat has taught us, we can never forget that. Wherever we go, we accept all as family. To understand diversity, to live diversity is in our veins,” said PM Modi.

America and India are poised to become AI powerhouses in the new world, he enthused.

During his address at the Quad Leaders’ Summit, PM Modi emphasized that the group is a “force of Global Good” that will contribute to the betterment of the world.

The US-India partnership has made significant strides in AI research and development. The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) has facilitated cooperation in key areas like space, semiconductors, and advanced telecommunications, he noted.

The two nations are also collaborating on the development of small modular reactor technologies and exploring opportunities to expand cooperation in solar, wind, and nuclear energy.