Statement of the PM at the event on ‘India-USA: Skilling for the Future’ in Washington DC
Speaker: Narendra Modi
Date: 22 Jun, 2023

First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, Dr. Panchanathan, Mr. Mehrotra, Dr. Williams. Ladies and Gentlemen, My dear young friends, I am delighted that I have got the opportunity to connect with so many young and creative minds upon coming to Washington today. India is collaborating with the National Science Foundation on various projects, which makes this venue even more special. Dr. Biden, Your life, your efforts, and your achievements are a source of inspiration for everyone. Ensuring a better future for our present and future generations is our collective responsibility. Education, skills and innovation are essential for this bright future, and in this direction, we have made several efforts in India. We have integrated education and skilling in the National Education Policy. We have established nearly 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in schools, where children are provided with various facilities for exploring different types of innovations. We have initiated the Start Up India Mission to encourage young entrepreneurs. Our goal is to make this decade a “Tech Decade” or Techade. Friends, There is a need for a pipeline of talent to maintain the momentum of growth between India and America. While America has prestigious educational institutions and advanced technologies, India possesses the world’s largest youth factory. Therefore, I believe that the partnership between India and America will prove to be the engine for sustainable and inclusive global growth. I wholeheartedly congratulate all of you for the significant role being played by community colleges in America. Friends, I would like to share some thoughts on mutual cooperation in education and research between India and America. In this collaborative effort, it is essential to involve the government, industry, academia, teachers and students. We can consider initiating an India-US Teachers Exchange Program in this regard. We initiated the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) in 2015 in order to enhance engagement with scientists and entrepreneurs spread across the world. I am pleased to inform you that we have successfully welcomed 750 faculty members from the United States to India under this program. I would like to request serving and retired individuals associated with education and research in the United States to consider spending their holidays, especially the winter break, in India. By doing so, they can not only explore India but also share their knowledge with the new generation of India. You are also aware that the spirit of creativity and innovation among young people is incredible. I believe that both countries should come together and conduct Hackathons on different subjects. This can not only provide us with solutions to many current problems but also generate new ideas for the future. We can also consider discussing mutual recognition of vocational skill qualifications. Friends, I would like to see students from America come to India under student exchange programs, where they can experience and explore India. I have hope and confidence that the day is not far when the youth of the “Navajo Nation” will sit in Nagaland, India, collaborating with their friends to co-develop an idea and a project. I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart to these two young individuals for providing me with so many ideas. I express my heartfelt gratitude once again to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. I also thank the National Science Foundation and all of you for being here. Thank you.