United Nations/New Delhi, Feb 20 (NationPress) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended his congratulations to India for its prominent role in the AI sector during meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, as reported by his spokesperson. Guterres commended them for the AI Impact Summit and expressed his profound gratitude for India's collaboration with the United Nations during these discussions in the Indian capital, according to the UN's official summaries.

PM Modi shared on X that their conversation included a focus on UN reforms, specifically emphasizing a stronger voice for the Global South.

Accompanying Guterres was UN Under-Secretary-General Amandeep Singh Gill, who oversees the organization's AI and digital strategies. Gill, a former diplomat from India, also serves as Guterres' special envoy for technology.

While in New Delhi for the India AI Impact Summit, Guterres strongly advocated for the democratization of AI, ensuring that the Global South has access to resources for AI development and a say in its future direction.

PM Modi noted in a post on X that they discussed the importance of making AI inclusive and how the UN can contribute positively in this area.

The Prime Minister reiterated India's commitment to any initiative that seeks to leverage AI for a better world.

According to External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, PM Modi emphasized India's commitment to a human-centered approach to AI development that prioritizes the Global South.

President Murmu expressed her gratitude to Secretary-General Guterres for his involvement in the AI Impact Summit and welcomed his proposal to establish a global scientific panel on AI to benefit humanity, as stated by Rashtrapati Bhavan.

She pointed out that in an era of global uncertainties, multilateralism faces significant challenges, including a growing trust deficit. The President highlighted the necessity of reforming the outdated framework of the UN Security Council to better represent modern geopolitical realities and ensure that the Global South has a more substantial role in decision-making. The urgent reform of the UN Security Council is crucial for maintaining the UN's relevance and effectiveness, as per the statement from the President's Secretariat.

Moreover, the President noted that while the 'UN-80' initiative provides a promising foundation for reforms, it is vital to safeguard the developmental needs of the Global South during any restructuring process. She wished Guterres well for the remainder of his term as UN Secretary-General and reaffirmed India's unwavering support for multilateralism.