PM Modi Flags AI Opportunity, El Niño Risks at NITI Aayog Meet
PM Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired the 11th Governing Council meeting of the Niti Aayog in New Delhi. (Image Modi on X)
By AMIT KUMAR
At the 11th NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting, the Prime Minister called artificial intelligence an opportunity rather than a threat while warning states to prepare for water stress and agricultural disruptions linked to El Niño.
New Delhi, June 11, 2026 — Artificial intelligence and climate resilience emerged as two defining themes of India’s long-term development strategy as Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged states to embrace technological transformation while preparing for the challenges posed by El Niño conditions.
Chairing the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Thursday, Modi called on states to view artificial intelligence as an opportunity rather than a disruption and to equip India’s vast young population with skills needed for the emerging digital economy.
The meeting, held under the theme “Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat@2047”, witnessed participation from all 28 states and five Union Territories. According to the government, it was the first Governing Council meeting attended by chief ministers of all 28 states.
Positioning technology and climate preparedness as twin pillars of India’s growth strategy, Modi said the country’s demographic advantage could become a powerful engine of development if young people are adequately trained for future industries.
“India’s 70 crore citizens below the age of 25 are its greatest asset,” he said, urging states to convert the country’s demographic dividend into a development dividend through education, skilling and capacity-building initiatives.
The Prime Minister identified artificial intelligence, data centres and other emerging technologies as major opportunities for investment and employment generation. He stressed that governments must focus on future-ready skills to ensure that India’s workforce remains competitive as AI reshapes industries across the world.
His remarks come amid growing global competition in artificial intelligence, with countries investing heavily in AI infrastructure, semiconductor ecosystems and advanced digital capabilities. India has increasingly positioned itself as a key player in the sector, seeking to leverage its large talent pool and expanding digital economy.
At the same time, Modi highlighted the risks posed by changing climatic conditions, drawing particular attention to concerns associated with El Niño. He urged states to strengthen water conservation efforts and promote natural and organic farming practices to improve agricultural resilience.
The warning assumes significance as El Niño events are often associated with irregular monsoon patterns, elevated temperatures and water stress, all of which can affect agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
Modi noted that farmers had purchased nearly 11 lakh tonnes of organic manure during the current Kharif season, describing it as evidence of growing confidence in sustainable farming practices. He encouraged states to accelerate efforts to conserve water resources and adopt environmentally sustainable agricultural models.
The Prime Minister also called for stronger coordination between the Centre and states in pursuit of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Stressing the importance of cooperative federalism, he said the goal of transforming India into a developed nation must become a shared mission extending from the national level to districts, blocks and villages.
Beyond AI and climate issues, Modi urged states to capitalize on opportunities arising from India’s recently concluded free trade agreements. He encouraged governments to create opportunities for youth and micro, small and medium enterprises while actively attracting investments from partner countries.
He also called for greater focus on One District One Product (ODOP) initiatives and urged states to formulate strategies around export-oriented manufacturing. Defence manufacturing, he said, was emerging as an area where India was developing a distinctive global presence and could generate substantial economic opportunities.
Highlighting social challenges accompanying rapid economic transformation, Modi urged states to address concerns such as cyber fraud and drug abuse through awareness campaigns, preventive measures and effective governance.
The Prime Minister further advocated a results-driven governance framework built around measurable milestones. He suggested identifying 100 districts in the agriculture sector on the lines of the Aspirational Districts Programme and emphasized the need for monitoring mechanisms with both short-term and long-term targets.
Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators attending the meeting congratulated Modi on completing 12 years in office and expressed support for efforts aimed at strengthening India’s resilience amid ongoing global geopolitical uncertainties.
As India pursues its ambition of becoming a developed economy by 2047, the Prime Minister’s message underscored a broader policy shift: economic growth alone will not be sufficient. Success, he suggested, will depend on how effectively the country harnesses transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence while simultaneously building resilience against climate-related disruptions, including those linked to El Niño.
The twin challenges of technological change and environmental uncertainty are likely to shape India’s development agenda in the decades ahead, making AI readiness and climate adaptation central components of the Viksit Bharat roadmap.
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