Bill Gates praises India’s tech and health strides ahead of visit

Bill Gates has visited India several times.

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and a well-known philanthropist, recently announced on LinkedIn that he will visit India for the third time in three years. He underscored India's critical role in global healthcare, agriculture, and digital transformation, noting that this visit coincides with a historic event: the Gates Foundation's Board of Trustees will convene in the Global South for the first time, marking a significant milestone as the foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Gates stated that the Gates Foundation has worked with India for over 20 years, engaging with the government, scholars, and entrepreneurs to improve critical areas. "India is the right place for this milestone," he stated, as reported by Mint.

He praised India's transformative health initiatives, particularly its successful polio eradication campaign. Reflecting on his 2011 visit - when India recorded its last polio case - he credited programs like Avahan, a community-led HIV prevention initiative, for influencing national health strategies.

Today, Gates sees India at the forefront of the battle against tuberculosis (TB), which has the highest global burden of the disease. “Investments in new diagnostics, AI-powered detection tools, and improved treatment strategies are accelerating progress toward elimination,” he noted.

Gates also commended India’s capabilities in vaccine manufacturing and affordable diagnostics. He mentioned a saliva-based TB test priced under $2 as an innovative solution with global potential. “Indian companies are developing TB tests that could be transformative across Africa,” he stated.

In addition to healthcare, Gates highlighted India's digital public infrastructure (DPI), including Aadhaar and digital payment systems, which have transformed access to banking, healthcare, and government services.

“India is utilising AI-powered DPI tools to help rural health workers enhance early disease detection, optimize pregnancy care, and manage patient data more effectively,” he explained.

In agriculture, AI is empowering Indian farmers to predict weather patterns, choose crops, and mitigate disease risks—an advancement Gates believes could benefit farmers throughout Asia. He praised India’s global perspective, referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s G20 commitment to share the nation's innovations worldwide. “The solutions being developed there are being shared with the world,” Gates wrote.

During his visit, Gates plans to engage with government officials, scientists, and philanthropists driving India's development. He expressed excitement about discovering cutting-edge innovations that could benefit both India and the global community. “I always leave India inspired. I know this trip will be no different,” he concluded.