Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the international community to take the concerns of the Global South more seriously, especially in the context of ongoing global conflicts and uncertainties.

“Unfortunately, the impact of uncertainty and conflicts is felt most acutely by the countries of the Global South. Whether conflict occurs in any part of the world, these nations suffer the earliest and worst from crises related to food, fuel, fertilizer, and finance. Masses, materials, manufacturing, and mobility are all affected,” Modi said during his address at the G7 Outreach Session on Energy Security.

PM Modi pointed out that India sees it as its responsibility to amplify the voice of the Global South on the world stage and stressed that a sustainable and inclusive future is only possible if global development efforts reflect the priorities of these nations.

“As we move forward with the energy transition, it is vital for all countries to walk together in the spirit of ‘Not me, but we’,” Modi added.

He also reiterated the need for a unified and uncompromising stance against terrorism, warning that double standards in global governance cannot lead to lasting progress.

“India has taken it upon itself to bring the priorities and concerns of the Global South to the global stage. We believe that no form of double standards can lead to sustainable and inclusive development for humanity.” he said.

Speaking on energy security, Modi underscored India's commitment to a resilient and inclusive energy strategy. He outlined the four guiding principles of India's approach including availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability.

“Today, nearly every household in India is connected to electricity. India is among the countries with the lowest per unit electricity costs. Currently, nearly 50% of our total installed capacity comes from renewable energy sources. We are firmly moving toward our goal of 500 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030,” Modi said.

He highlighted the country's focus on clean energy through green hydrogen, nuclear power, and ethanol blending. Modi said India is working not just for its own energy transition but also inspiring global action through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, Global Biofuels Alliance, and Mission LiFE.

People, Planet and Progress: Modi's concerns for AI and India’s role

At the session, Modi emphasised the need for a human-centric, globally cooperative approach to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Acknowledging AI’s growing role in boosting efficiency and innovation, he flagged its high energy consumption and underlined the urgency of making the technology sustainable through green and clean energy solutions.

“AI itself is an energy-intensive technology. With growing energy consumption due to AI data centers and today’s tech-driven societies, the only sustainable way forward is through renewable energy,” Modi said.

Modi highlighted India’s focus on renewable energy, particularly solar power and small modular reactors, and investments in smart grids, energy storage, and green corridors to manage the energy demands of a tech-driven India. He stressed that technologies like AI must ultimately serve people, especially those in the Global South, and create meaningful improvements in everyday life.

He shared examples of India’s AI use-cases: weather prediction tools helping small farmers and fishermen, and Bhashini, a language translation platform bridging rural communities to global opportunities. India, he said, has leveraged digital public infrastructure to make technology accessible and empowering.

Modi positioned India as a key contributor to global AI development, citing its rich and diverse data ecosystem, large talent pool, and commitment to democratic values.

Raising broader concerns, Modi called for international governance frameworks to manage the risks of AI, such as deepfakes and monopolisation of critical mineral supply chains, while fostering innovation. He underlined that AI-generated content must be clearly identified to preserve trust and prevent social disruption.

“While everyone acknowledges AI’s capabilities, its strength is not our challenge. The real challenge is ensuring that AI tools enhance human dignity and capability. In the last century, we saw competition for energy. In this century, we must cooperate on technology. "Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas" – we will have to move ahead on this basic mantra. That is, People, Planet and Progress – this is India's call,” Modi said.

Modi also invited global leaders to attend the fourth AI Impact Summit scheduled to be held next year in February in India. The summit was last held in Paris last year, and was first held in Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, and then in Seoul.

On the second day of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, Modi engaged in discussions with global leaders on key challenges such as terrorism, trade, and development, describing the talks as “productive” and forward-looking. He held bilateral meetings with the leaders of Canada, the UK, France, South Korea, Italy, and Australia, focusing on strengthening economic cooperation and trade ties. Notably, India and Canada agreed to appoint new high commissioners, marking a step toward normalising diplomatic and consular relations after recent tensions.