Use tech for development, not destruction: PM Modi

Dubai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday voiced concern over attempts to radicalise the cyberspace by jihadists and asked governments to guard against the misuse of technology, saying it must be used as a means to development, not destruction.

In a keynote address at the World Government Summit in Dubai on the second day of his two-day visit to the UAE, Modi rued that even after all the development, poverty and malnutrition have still not been eliminated.

“On the other side, we are investing large portion of money, time and resources on missiles and bombs. We must use technology as a means to development, not destruction,” he told the gathering that included Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and the ruler of Dubai.

He expressed concern over attempts by some people to radicalise the cyber space with the use of technology, referring to its use by jihadists to recruit cadres online.

India is the ‘Guest Country’ at the sixth edition of the World Government Summit, which is being attended by more than 4,000 participants from 140 countries. “It is a matter of pride for not only me but also the 125 crore people of India that I have been called as the Chief Guest at the World Government Summit,” Modi said.

He hailed the use of technology by the Dubai government, saying a desert has been transformed. “It’s a miracle,” he said, describing the Gulf emirate as an example for the world.

Noting that 9.5 per cent of the world’s population lives below the poverty line, despite the tremendous population growth, he said, “Today there are great challenges such as poverty, unemployment, education, housing and human catastrophes.”   

“We can all overcome them through development. This is what my government is working on using technology,” he said. Stating that his government’s mantra is “sabke saath, sabka vikas”, Modi said India has focused on the key sectors to empower its 125 crore people i.e one-sixth of humanity, contributing to the development of mankind as a whole.

In the last 25 years, maternal mortality went down by one-third in India and by half across the world, he said. Hailing India’s satellite programme, Modi said the cost of the Mars orbital programme is Rs 7 per kilometre. “If you take a cab in India, you may pay Rs 10. But the cost of India’s access to Mars is just Rs 7 per kilometre,” he told the gathering, amid big applause.

Modi said that 65 per cent of India’s population is under 35 and the dream of a new India will be achieved by empowering the youth with technology. “We have built a technology system, so that India has become a major innovation country in business ventures,” he said, adding that by 2022, the income of farmers will be doubled.

Modi said the ease of using technology and its spread has empowered the common man and this empowerment has been furthered by the minimum government and maximum governance. “Technology is changing at the speed of thought. Technology has become a big medium of global change. It has empowered the common man via minimum government, maximum governance.

In E-governance, the E stands for effective, efficient, easy, empower, and equity, Modi said. Modi arrived in Dubai on Saturday on the second leg of his three-nation tour. From Dubai, Modi will travel to Oman.