India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday (US local time) with US First Lady Jill Biden, interacted with Indian and American students, and gave insights into India’s contributions to technology, and how the country can work together with the US to find solutions to current problems, and obtain ideas for the future. Modi said that the India-US partnership will prove to be the engine of sustainable and inclusive global growth, news agency ANI reported. He also said India is working on multiple projects with the NSF, and that the country’s goal is to make this decade a “techade”.
Welcoming Modi to the NSF, the US First Lady said: With this official visit, we are bringing together the world's oldest and largest democracies. But our relationship is not just about governments, we are celebrating the families, and the friendship between both countries. The US-India partnership is deep and expansive as we jointly tackle global challenges. Education is an issue that is close to PM Modi's heart and mine.”
India And US Need A Pipeline Of Talent: Modi
Modi said that India and the US need a pipeline of talent to maintain growth momentum. He stated that on the one hand, the US has top-class educational institutions and advanced technologies, and on the other hand, India has the world’s biggest youth factory.
Modi On ‘Startup India’ Mission And Atal Tinkering Labs
The prime minister said that India has established around 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in schools. In these labs, he explained, children are being provided with all kinds of facilities for various types of innovations.
Modi also said that India has started the ‘Startup India’ mission to encourage young entrepreneurs.
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Education, Skill And Innovation Are Important For A Brighter Future
Modi thanked the US First Lady for planning and organising the event. Expressing pleasure at having the opportunity to meet “young and creative” people right after visiting Washington, Modi said that education, skill and innovation are important for a bright future. “In India, we have brought the New Education Policy and integrated education and skilling.”
Modi Proposes The Idea Of An India-US Teachers’ Exchange Programme
The prime minister proposed the idea of starting an India-US teachers’ exchange programme. He said that India started the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) in 2015 to increase the engagement of scientists and entrepreneurs across the globe with Indian institutions. “I am delighted to tell you that under this, 750 faculty members from the US have come to India.”
India And US Should Organise Hackathons Together: Modi
Modi also said that under the ‘Skill India’ mission, more than 50 million people in the fields of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and drones have acquired skills. He also put forward a suggestion that together, India and the US should organise hackathons on different issues, because this may offer solutions to several of the current challenges and help obtain new ideas for the future.
US First Lady Jill Biden On The Importance Of Education
The US First Lady told Modi that he works to ensure that all Indians, especially girls, have the opportunity to pursue education and gain the skills they need for a modern workforce. “It is exciting to be able to show you some of the innovative programs our schools and businesses are creating for the students here.”
The US First Lady emphasised the importance of investing in young people to ensure that they have the opportunities they deserve, and for the economies to be strong. She said that the US is creating millions of good jobs in growing industries like clean energy and manufacturing.
“We are bringing together our entire administration, including agencies like NSF to partner with employers, unions, schools and local governments so we can ensure that students have what they need to pursue these careers. That's the Biden education pathway. It starts with free, high-quality, universal free school and creates a high school experience that prepares students for their next steps,” the US First Lady said.
Jill Biden also said that education is the cornerstone of the bond between India and the United States. She stated that students from both countries are learning and growing alongside each other, discovering the people that they want to become and building a better world together. “Working side by side, our nations can create a safer, healthier, more prosperous future for everyone.”