Gujarat is preparing to expand the use of artificial intelligence across key sectors, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel seeking World Bank support for projects while highlighting the state’s fiscal discipline.
During a day-long visit to Washington on Wednesday, Patel interacted with the Gujarati diaspora, met business leaders at the World Bank, attended a luncheon hosted by India’s Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra and visited the Art of Living centre.
At a World Bank roundtable, Patel said, “The Gujarat government has decided to embrace AI and we are looking forward to a faster rollout in sectors such as administration, education, healthcare and agriculture.”
Patel said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promoted financial discipline in Gujarat and urged the World Bank to consider concessional financing for projects in the state. “The World Bank can consider extending benefits in financing projects for states adhering to fiscal discipline,” he said.
He also called on the World Bank to establish a presence at GIFT City, Gujarat’s International Financial Services Centre. The meeting was chaired by Indermit Gill, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of the World Bank Group. Gujarat Chief Secretary M K Das, GIFT City Managing Director and Group CEO Sanjay Kaul, World Bank Vice President for South Asia Johannes Zutt, IFC Regional Vice-President for Asia and the Pacific Riccardo Puliti, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency Vice-President Junaid Kamal Ahmad, IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan and Hemang Jani, senior adviser to the World Bank Executive Director representing India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, also attended.
Later, Kwatra hosted Patel at India House. “Honoured to host Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel and members of the Gujarati diaspora at India House,” Kwatra said. He added that discussions focused on Gujarat’s efforts to attract global manufacturing and technology partnerships and strengthen ties with the diaspora.
Patel also visited the Art of Living centre and praised its efforts to promote meditation and yoga across the US.
“It was an honour to host Bhupendrabhai Patel at the Art of Living Centre in Washington, DC. We wish him continued success in his efforts to serve the people of Gujarat and advance the state’s vision of a healthier and more resilient society,” said Bhushan Deodhar, from the Office of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Director of the Art of Living Centre in Washington, DC.
Patel began his US visit in San Francisco, where he met leaders from Google, Micron and Perplexity AI. He will visit New York for the next 2 days to meet business leaders.
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