Hours after Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day ceasefire to allow the release of 50 hostages held by the militant group in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinian detainees and the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday welcomed the announcement on the release of hostages and expressed the hope that all hostages will be released soon. The deal, once implemented, will be the first major diplomatic breakthrough and pause in fighting since the war began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. There are about 236 hostages in Hamas captivity, according to Israel. Addressing the G20 virtual summit, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the situation of insecurity and instability in West Asia, and underlined that it is important to ensure that the Israel-Hamas war does not take the form of a regional conflict. Delivering my remarks at the @g20org Virtual Summit. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 22, 2023 Addressing the G20 leaders – the virtual summit was attended, among others, by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chinese Premier Li Qiang – Modi also announced that India will host a Global Artificial Intelligence partnership summit next month. He said the negative use of AI is causing concern and it should be used responsibly. Calling for working towards global regulations on AI, he said “deepfake” poses danger to society and individuals, and needs to be taken seriously. On the situation in West Asia, he said, “In the last few months, new challenges have emerged and the situation of insecurity and instability in West Asia is a matter of concern.” “Our coming together shows that we are sensitive to all issues and are standing together for their solution. We believe that terrorism is unacceptable to us. Death of civilians, wherever it may be, is condemnable. We welcome the news of the release of hostages. We hope all hostages will be released soon.” He said “it is essential that humanitarian assistance reaches on time and in a continuous manner”. “It is important to ensure that the Israel-Hamas war does not take the form of a regional conflict,” Modi said. “In this world full of mistrust and challenges, it is this trust that binds us together. In the last one year, we have expressed confidence in ‘One Earth, One Family and One Future’. Moving away from controversies, we have worked with unity and cooperation,” he said. On the issue of AI, Modi said, “In this age of Artificial Intelligence today, it is necessary that technology should be used responsibly… The negative use of AI is cause of concern in the entire world. India has a clear view that we should work together towards a global regulation of AI. Deepfake has dangerous consequences for society and individuals, we should understand its seriousness and move forward. We want AI to reach people and it must be safe for society. With this approach, India is going to organise the Global AI Partnership Summit next month. I believe you will support this endeavour.” He also proposed setting up a Social Impact Fund for implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure in Global South countries. He said India will contribute USD 25 million towards the initial fund. Modi’s opening statement also framed India’s Presidency of G20 as the “People’s G20”. “I can never forget that moment when in Delhi all of us welcomed the African Union into the G20. This message of inclusivity given by the G20 to the world is unprecedented.” “It is a matter of pride for India that under its presidency, Africa was given a voice. In the last one year in the G20, the Global South’s voice has also been heard,” he said. He said it is important that global economic and governance structures need to be reformed to make them “bigger, better, effective, representative and future ready”.
