Digital Desk: Bill Gates has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in reaching a consensus on the role of digital public infrastructure at the G20 summit. In a tweet, Gates said that he was “optimistic about the potential of DPI to support a safer, healthier, and more just world” and gave credit to Modi for his “leadership”.
The G20 leaders agreed on a declaration that “digital public infrastructure is essential for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”. The declaration also called for increased investment in digital infrastructure and for cooperation between countries to ensure that everyone has access to these services.
Gates’s praise for Modi is significant because it comes from a respected figure in the technology industry. Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft, one of the world’s largest technology companies. He is also a major philanthropist and has been a vocal advocate for the use of technology to improve the lives of people around the world.
Modi’s leadership on the issue of digital public infrastructure is in line with his broader vision for India’s development. He has made it a priority to connect India with high-speed internet and to make digital services available to everyone. He has also launched several initiatives to promote the use of technology in education, healthcare, and other sectors.
The G20 consensus on the role of digital public infrastructure is a positive development. It is a recognition of the importance of technology in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and of the need for international cooperation to ensure that everyone has access to these services. Gates’s praise for Modi’s leadership is a further boost for India’s efforts to become a digital leader.