In a first, Google and Alphabet CEO Sunder Pichai visited the Indian Embassy in Washington and held discussions with India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, on various aspects of the tech company's activities in the country, particularly its aggressive push towards digitisation.
Thank you Ambassador Sandhu for the great conversation, Pichai said in a tweet after his visit to the Indian Embassy in downtown Washington DC late last week. This is the first time that a top Indian American tech CEO has visited the embassy in Washington.
“Appreciated the chance to discuss Google's commitment to India and look forward to continuing our support for India's digital future,” said Pichai, who in January this year was named among the 17 awardees to receive Padma Bhushan.
"Technology that transforms; ideas that enable!" tweeted Mr Sandhu. "Delighted to receive" Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai at the Embassy, he said.
"Exchanged thoughts on expanding India-US commercial, knowledge & tech partnership with Google," the Indian envoy said.
Google under Pichai has made massive investment in India and phenomenally expanded its footprint in a wide range of sectors including its training to the younger generation.
It has announced an investment of about USD 10 billion under Google for India digitisation. It also has partnerships with Reliance's Jio as well as with Bharti Airtel. In addition, it is partnering with India on workforce development and skill development. They are working with the government on the Digital India Programme and national digital literacy mission.
During the meeting with the Indian Ambassador, Pichai was very appreciative of the very initiatives that have been taken by India and underscored how Google is looking at India in a very positive framework. The Ambassador highlighted the knowledge and education partnership.
The Google CEO, during the conversation, is also believed to have discussed various ways in which its partnership with India forward in particular in the education sector. They also discussed digitization efforts in India in which Google is involved including digital payments and infrastructure digitization.
Notably, Google and its parent company Alphabet played an important role in the COVID-19 crisis last year. They put a lot of money in terms of supporting India, and they were part of the global task force of American CEOs set up in this regard.
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