Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2nd from l), China’s President Xi Jinping (l), South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Russian President Vladimir Putin (r), and Brazil’s President Michel Temer pose together for a photo at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 26. (PIB/PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, July 26, highlighted the importance of industrial technology, skill development and multilateral cooperation in creating a better world as he attended the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, writes Fakir Hassen.

Speaking at the summit, Modi said the new industrial technology and digital interface that the world is building is an opportunity and also a challenge.

Modi, who arrived here yesterday to attend the BRICS Summit, said technological innovations can help to enhance better service delivery, productivity levels.

New systems and products will open new ways of economic progress, he said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BRICS leaders at their ‘Restricted Session’ at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 26. (PIB/PTI)

“At the session with fellow BRICS leaders, I shared my thoughts on various global issues, the importance of technology, skill development and how effective multilateral cooperation creates a better world,” Modi tweeted after his address.

He said India wants to work with BRICS nations on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and called for sharing the best practices and policies in the area.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is the fourth major industrial era since the initial Industrial Revolution of the 18th century. It is characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital and biological spheres.

“A welcome result of Industry 4.0 will be more close contact. The world will be flatter for those who can benefit from it. Many disadvantaged classes will be able to take big leap across the many sectors of technology and development,” he said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 26. (PTI/Twitter/PIB)

He said nations must think seriously about the consequences of the fourth industrial revolution in the technology world, which would have a far-reaching impact on the public and economy of the countries.

“India wants to work collectively along with BRICS nations in the area of Fourth Industrial Revolution and all nations must share the best practices and policies on this,” the prime minister said.

“Compliance with laws, the example of better delivery by direct payment technology to beneficiaries of social security and government schemes,” he said.

He said the Fourth Industrial Revolution will have more importance than the capital.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a bilateral meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 26. (PTI/Twitter/PIB)

“High-skill but temporary work will be the new face of employment. There will be radical changes in industrial production, design, and manufacturing,” Modi said.

He also underlined the need for schools and universities to create the curriculum so that they can prepare the youth for the future.

BRICS is a grouping of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Originally the first four were grouped as “BRIC”, before the induction of South Africa in 2010.