In a major announcement, popular podcaster Rex Fridman has revealed that he will host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the next episode of his podcast.
Fridman, a renowned scientist and AI researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has become a leader in the world of podcasting with his long, in-depth interviews. He has hosted influential thinkers, technologists, entrepreneurs, and world leaders, including Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, and Yuval Noah Harari. It is known for that. Future episodes with PM Modi are expected to touch on a wide range of topics, from technology and geopolitics to India’s growing role in the global economy.
An unprecedented event
Prime Minister Modi’s appearance on the podcast is a unique moment in international media and politics, as it will be his first time speaking with a prominent Western podcaster. Friedman’s announcement was made via social media, expressing the honor of welcoming Modi and calling it an opportunity to have “conversations that transcend borders and ideas.”
“India is emerging as a world leader in technology, economics and geopolitics,” Friedman said on social media platform I’m excited about it.”
I will be doing a podcast with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) at the end of February.
I’ve never been to India, so I’m excited to finally visit the country and experience as fully as possible the many facets of its vibrant, historic culture and its amazing people.
— Lex Fridman (@lexfridman) January 18, 2025
Prime Minister Modi’s presence in podcasting grows
Prime Minister Modi’s foray into the world of podcasting may be a relatively new move globally, but India has already shown a knack for leveraging the medium. Earlier this month, Modi made headlines when he appeared on a podcast hosted by Nikhil Kamath, an Indian entrepreneur and co-founder of Zerodha, one of India’s largest stockbroking platforms. The conversation, Modi’s first podcast appearance, marked a shift in the way the leader interacts with his people in the digital age.
In Kamath’s podcast, Modi spoke about his journey as a leader, the importance of education and India’s place in the global economy. During the podcast, the Prime Minister spoke on a number of topics, including global topics. Prime Minister Modi said that India’s standing in the world has increased due to India’s actions.
“The world trusts us because we have no duplicity. What we say is clear. We have said repeatedly that we are not neutral. I am for peace; We will cooperate in all efforts to do so. I will convey this to Russia and Ukraine, to Israel and Palestine. This has given us credibility. The world is saying what we believe. That’s what I think.
In response to a question about how he dealt with his anxiety, he recalled an incident in 2002. “On February 24, 2002, I became an MLA for the first time. On February 27, I went to the (Gujarat) Assembly for the first time. As an MLA, within three days, the news of the Godhra massacre came. I wanted to take a helicopter from Baroda to Godhra.At that time, ONGC was a single-engine flight. They only had a helicopter. They refused because they couldn’t take a VIP in a single-engine helicopter. I said I was willing to take the risk. I went to Godhra by helicopter and saw the body. I felt uneasy, but I knew that I had to control myself and overcome my emotions in this role.
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