New Delhi:

Technology companies should help maintain democratic societies, as technology can affect democracy “positively or negatively,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday at a virtual summit hosted by US President Joe Biden.

Biden hosted the Summit for Democracy, which is attended by representatives from over a hundred countries.

In his address, PM Modi also outlined sensitivity, accountability, participation and reform orientation as four pillars of Indian democratic governance, PTI news agency sources said.

He also stressed that principles of democracy should also guide global governance, highlighting India’s civilizational ethos as one of the original sources of democracy, they said.

The prime minister said the democratic spirit, including respect for the rule of law and pluralistic ethos, is deeply ingrained in the Indians, the sources said.

The Indian expatriates wear it too, contributing to the economic well-being and social harmony of their adopted homes, they said.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Modi recalled that on that very day 75 years ago the Constituent Assembly of India held its first session.

The prime minister stressed the need for democratic countries to implement the values ​​enshrined in their constitutions, the sources said.

“He stressed that the principles of democracy should also guide global governance; and that given the ability of technology to affect democracy, positively or negatively, technology companies should help maintain open and democratic societies,” a source said.

As a special gesture, Prime Minister Modi was invited to attend the main executive plenary meeting hosted by President Biden. During this closed session, interventions were carried out from 12 selected countries, including India.

Prime Minister Modi will make India’s national statement on Friday. This will be available to the public.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and will be posted via a syndicated feed.)