New Delhi, 18 June (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Paris on Wednesday after concluding his engagements at the G7 Summit in Evian, marking the final leg of his official visit to France.

Before leaving Evian, Prime Minister Modi described the summit as productive, saying it provided an opportunity to present India's perspectives on key issues related to global governance, policymaking, artificial intelligence (AI), and the interests of the Global South. He also reiterated India's commitment to working closely with developing nations to promote inclusive global prosperity.

During the summit, the Prime Minister participated in a high-level session on Ensuring Safe, Rapid and Efficient Rollout of Artificial Intelligence. In his address, he emphasized that AI must remain ethical, secure, and human-centric. He stressed that technology should serve the public good and be developed in a manner that benefits society as a whole.

Prime Minister Modi also outlined India's vision for responsible AI governance, calling for AI systems to be developed on a safe-by-design principle. He advocated the creation of common global standards, testing frameworks, and regulatory mechanisms to ensure that innovation is accompanied by appropriate safeguards.

Highlighting the needs of developing countries, the Prime Minister said the benefits of AI should not remain concentrated in a few advanced economies. Instead, he urged greater international cooperation to ensure that countries of the Global South have equitable access to emerging technologies, enabling inclusive and sustainable development.

On the sidelines of the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Modi also held a brief interaction with United States President Donald Trump. The two leaders exchanged views during the gathering, which brought together leaders from major economies to discuss pressing global challenges.

Prime Minister Modi is now scheduled to continue his visit in Paris, where he will address VivaTech 2026, one of Europe's leading technology and innovation events. He will also interact with members of the Indian diaspora during a community programme before concluding his visit to France.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar