Have same interest in e-governance as Obama: Modi

Both leaders have reportedly discussed working together on the Digital India programme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he and US President Barack Obama have the same level of interest in e-governance and thus are implementing programmes towards mobile governance.

"Yesterday, me and President Obama discussed this (issue) in detail. We have same interest in it. We discussed in detail about it," Modi told a Washington audience at an event organised by the US-India Business Council (USIBC).

Modi had dinner with Obama on Monday soon after his arrival from New York.

"Both of us shared our experiences and discussed, how both of us can work together in this regard. How India and the US can together on Digital India programme," he said.

As part of the digital India campaign Modi said he has taken a decision towards mobile governance.

"The entire 'Make in India' campaign is connected to the digital world. I am connected with the digital network," he said.

A joint statement issued by the two leaders after their White House meeting said that Modi and Obama committed to partner on the Digital India initiative, with the goal of enhancing digital infrastructure, deploying e-governance and e-services, promoting industry collaboration, and digitally empowering India's citizens.

Obama welcomed India's proposal to establish the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN, or knowledge in Hindi) under which India would invite and host up to 1,000 American academics each year to teach in centrally-recognised Indian universities, at their convenience.

"We want to use this technology for good and effective governance and ease of business," he said.