Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday participated in the outreach session on energy security at the 51st G7 Summit, where he underscored the need for a sustainable and inclusive approach to global energy access.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi emphasised the importance of ensuring energy security for all people through green and sustainable pathways. He highlighted India’s key international initiatives in this area, including the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Global Biofuels Alliance, according to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
“Artificial Intelligence itself is an energy-intensive technology. The only sustainable way to meet the energy demands of a technology-driven world is through renewable energy,” the Prime Minister said. “Ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy remains India’s top priority.”
He also reiterated India’s belief that technology holds real value only when its benefits reach every person, particularly in the Global South. “No country in the Global South should be left behind,” he said.
Referring to India’s experience with digital governance, he noted that the country has democratised access to technology through its Digital Public Infrastructure, empowering both the economy and citizens. He also stressed that meaningful and high-quality data is essential for developing inclusive, capable, and responsible AI systems.
Highlighting the growing relevance of artificial intelligence, PM Modi called for global governance mechanisms to address its associated risks and to promote innovation. He underlined the strategic link between critical minerals and emerging technologies, and called for resilient and secure supply chains. “In the era of AI, close collaboration between critical minerals and technology is essential,” he said.
He raised concerns over the misuse of AI, particularly the rise of deepfake technology. “Deepfakes are a serious concern. There must be clear watermarks or disclosures on AI-generated content,” he said.
Reflecting on historical trends, PM Modi noted that while the last century was marked by competition for energy, the current century demands cooperation in the realm of technology. “India is moving ahead on the principles of availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability, and has chosen the path of inclusive development,” he said.
Despite being the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India has already fulfilled its Paris Agreement commitments ahead of schedule, he noted. “We are moving rapidly toward our target of Net Zero by 2070. Currently, renewable energy constitutes about 50 per cent of our total installed capacity,” he added.
Turning to geopolitical challenges, PM Modi drew attention to the disproportionate impact of crises—such as those related to food, fuel, fertilisers, and finance—on Global South nations. “These countries suffer the most from global uncertainties and conflicts. India considers it its responsibility to bring their concerns to the global stage,” he said.
On the issue of terrorism, the Prime Minister made a strong statement against double standards. Referring to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, he said, “This was not just an attack on a place; it was an assault on the soul, identity, and dignity of every Indian — and indeed, on humanity itself.”
“Terrorism is the enemy of humanity and threatens all nations that uphold democratic values. There must be no ambiguity: if a country supports terrorism, it must be held accountable,” he said. “While we are quick to impose sanctions on various issues, the same urgency must be applied to terrorism.”
The Prime Minister thanked world leaders at the G7 Summit for condemning the Pahalgam attack and urged the international community to take strong action against those who support or sponsor terrorism.
He concluded by reiterating India’s commitment to promoting a human-centric and inclusive approach to technology, and called for strengthened global cooperation to ensure peace, sustainability, and equitable development.
(IANS)
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