Modi Calls for Strict Global Restrictions on Misuse of AI for Crime, Terror Activities

Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, Nov 23: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasised on the need for strict restrictions and vigilance to prevent misuse of Artificial Intelligence in crime and terror activities.

Attending the third session of the ongoing G20 meeting in Johannesburg, Mr Modi said there was a need for a global compact on AI to prevent misuse. He also called for strict restrictions on the use of AI in deepfakes, crime, and terror activities.

“There is need for a global compact on AI to prevent misuse. Global compact on AI should be based on core principles of human oversight, safety by design and transparency,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Mr Modi met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, and the two leaders discussed cooperation in various areas, including trade, investment, mining, critical minerals, AI and food security.

Mr Modi tweeted, “Had an excellent meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. We reviewed the full range of the India-South Africa partnership, especially in boosting linkages of commerce, culture, investment and diversifying cooperation in technology, skilling, AI, critical minerals and more. Congratulated President Ramaphosa for South Africa’s successful G20 Presidency.”

Later Mr Modi also held a meeting with the presidents of Brazil and South Africa where he emphasised the urgent need for UN Security Council reforms and proposed enhanced security cooperation among IBSA nations at the summit. He said the UNSC reforms was no longer just an option but had become a necessity.

In view of the US president Donald Trump having boycotted the G20 summit, the leaders warned that the G20 group’s role in fixing economic crises was threatened by geopolitical fractures. The European leaders attending the G20 summit — the first held in Africa — huddled on its sidelines to push back at a unilateral plan by President Trump aimed at ending the war in Ukraine on terms favouring Russia.

In a joint statement issued with Canada and Japan, they said Mr Trump’s plan needs “additional work” and some of its points required “the consent of EU and NATO members.” Speaking at the opening of the summit, one of the statement’s signatories, French President Emmanuel Macron said: “We are struggling to resolve major crises together around this table.” He warned that, given fissures in international cooperation, “the G20 may be coming to the end of a cycle.”

Mr Modi also announced a new trilateral technology and innovation partnership between India, Australia and Canada after a meeting with his Australian and Canadian counterparts on the sidelines of the G20 summit. “We are delighted to announce an Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership today,” PM Modi said in a social media post after a meeting with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese and the Canadian PM Mark Carney. “The initiative will deepen collaboration between democratic partners across three continents and three oceans in emerging technologies, support diversification of supply chains, clean energy and mass adoption of AI,” he said.

Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa  has refused to hand over the presidency of the G20 group to the United States to a US embassy representative after Mr Trump refused to attend this weekend’s summit, the South African government said.

Meanwhile, the South Africa’s trade minister Parks Tau said on Sunday that he expected negotiations with the U.S. over a trade deal would continue, despite differences between the two countries over this weekend’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg. Host nation South Africa pushed through a G20 Leaders’ Declaration at the summit despite objections from the U.S., which boycotted the event. “We’ve compartmentalised these issues and said the G20 is a separate process, … we anticipate that the trade discussions will continue,” Mr Tau told reporters at the summit.

South Africa, hosting the G20 summit, announced strong consensus on a leaders’ declaration despite the United States boycotting the talks. The draft, prepared without U.S. input, includes references to climate change, green energy transition, and debt relief for developing countries. While the U.S. opposed mentioning climate issues, other members backed South Africa’s agenda. Analysts suggest the boycott may actually strengthen cooperation among remaining nations.

In a strong message, the G-20 group said all States must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any State.

A Declaration, adopted with consensus by the heads of State attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit despite U.S. attempts to stop it, also said States should develop friendly relations among nations, including by promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. G-20 declaration urges all states to avoid forceful territorial acquisition, promoting peace, human rights, and multilateral cooperation.

Meanwhile, the White House on Saturday said South Africa was refusing to facilitate a smooth transition of its presidency of the Group of 20 major economies to the U.S., after the G20 issued a declaration on climate change over U.S. objections.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had pushed to issue a G20 leaders’ declaration addressing the climate crisis and other global challenges “despite consistent and robust U.S. objections.”

The US had decided to send the chargé d’affaires of its U.S. embassy in South Africa for the handover, with Washington assuming the 2026 presidency of the group of leading economies. But South Africa rejected the proposal. “Mr Ramaphosa will not be handing over to the charge d’affaires from the U.S.,” Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told journalists. “The United States is a member of the G20, and if they want to be represented, they can still send anyone at the right level,” he said.