Bill Gates on UPI as favorite innovation from India; hails India’s renewable energy push

Bill Gates praised India’s advancements in renewable energy, aiming for 50% renewable power by 2030, and its innovative efforts in addressing climate change and agricultural productivity. Highlighting India’s leadership in digital infrastructure like UPI and its growing startup ecosystem, he emphasized the country’s role in global development. Gates also expressed optimism about India’s potential as an innovation hub in AI, agriculture, and diagnostics. He envisions India shaping global progress through sustainability, clean energy, and inclusive development, inspiring the world with “Brand India.”

Bill Gates, renowned tech entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist, recently applauded India for its remarkable advancements in renewable energy, its ambitious goal to achieve 50% renewable power usage by 2030, and its innovative approach to addressing critical issues such as climate change and agricultural productivity. In an engaging dialogue with Indian Express Group’s Executive Director Anant Goenka at the Express Adda event in Mumbai, Gates shared his optimistic outlook on India's growing global influence.

While acknowledging India’s rapid progress in renewable energy, Gates noted that the country's overall carbon emissions might still increase as it continues to meet its developmental goals. He highlighted that although China currently leads in renewable energy adoption, India stands as a close contender, bolstered by breakthroughs in cost-effective solar panels and battery technology.

Reflecting on global energy challenges, Gates emphasized that rising aspirations across the Global South, coupled with the expansion of artificial intelligence, are intensifying energy demands. He also pointed out the adverse effects of US-China trade tensions on sectors like renewable energy and electric vehicles, stating that restrictions on technology sharing have slowed progress.

When asked by Goenka whether India could assume a larger role in global development, Gates enthusiastically pointed to India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as a standout innovation that has the potential to benefit the world. Speaking about India’s advancements in digital infrastructure, he remarked, “The best example of India’s role in helping other countries is the digital public infrastructure. It’s a phenomenal thing, whether you look at banking or government benefits being transferred.” Gates credited this robust digital framework for fueling India’s startup ecosystem and accelerating economic growth.

Gates further highlighted India’s emerging leadership in technological advancements, expressing his optimism about the country’s potential to become a major innovation hub. “In diagnostics, pioneering use of AI, advanced agriculture, bio-fertilisers, better seeds, animal vaccines, animal genetics, we see that India is going to be a significant source for innovation that helps all these problems domestically.” He also emphasized his confidence in the rapid pace of India’s innovation, stating, “I am pleased that this concept of more and more innovation coming from India is no exaggeration; it’s growing faster than I even expected.”

With its strides in clean energy, technology, and digital infrastructure, Gates envisions India playing a crucial role in shaping the future of global innovation and sustainable development.

On the subject of India’s global image, Gates commented on the potential of "Brand India" to inspire the world. He noted, “We meet great Indians all over the world and a lot of people don’t know much about India. They should come more and learn more. If India can stay on the path of 2047, that’s not just beneficial to India but to the whole world. In fact, you have 20 per cent of humanity that runs truly democratic elections and works out on all the priorities. There is more money for health, and education.” 

Bill Gates’ reflections underscore India’s growing capacity to drive global progress through innovation, sustainability, and a commitment to inclusive development.