Rakesh kumar
On Friday, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates discussed India’s “extraordinary” progress and innovations that can benefit the world. In his most recent blog post titled ‘GatesNotes,’ Gates, who is also a philanthropist, praised the progress India is making in fields such as health, development, and climate, stating that the country is demonstrating what is possible when innovation is funded. Gates also stated that his visit to India after a long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic was “inspiring” and that his meeting with Modi covered a variety of topics, including climate change, India’s health systems, its leadership on Covid-19 vaccines, and Gati Shakti.
What Gates had to say about India
1) Gates praised India’s vaccine policy and delivery infrastructure, as well as its efforts to expand its vaccine mission to other countries. “Vaccines produced in India saved millions of lives during the pandemic and prevented other maladies around the world,” Gates said, praising the government’s Co-WIN portal for facilitating Covid-19-related services. He also supported Modi’s assertion that the Co-WIN model can be implemented globally.
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2) Gates also praised how Aadhaar cards have revolutionised the country’s digital payment systems. “India has made financial inclusion a top priority, investing in a digital identification system (called Aadhaar) and developing innovative platforms for digital banking…a wonderful investment,” he said.
3) The co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation praised the country’s Gati Shakti programme, stating that it is “a wonderful example of how digital technology can help governments operate more efficiently. It digitally links 16 ministries, including rail and roads, so that they can incorporate their plans for infrastructure projects and expedite the work of Indian scientists and engineers.”
4) Modi and Gates expressed their perspectives on India’s current G20 presidency. In his blog, Bill Gates described the G20 presidency as an excellent opportunity for India to export its innovations worldwide. Regarding the Gates Foundation’s partnership with the government, he stated, “Supporting these initiatives, particularly the expansion of the government’s digital ID and payment systems, is a top priority for our foundation.”
5) He also lauded Modi’s efforts to eradicate tuberculosis, kala azar, and other maladies, as well as the country’s digital initiatives to keep schools operating even during the pandemic. Climate change remained a focal point of their conversation, and Gates stated that his foundation would pursue opportunities to collaborate with Mission Innovation, a global clean energy initiative in which India is also a partner.
