PARIS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon global innovators, investors and technology leaders to partner with India for building an inclusive digital future as he showcased the country’s rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem at VivaTech 2026 in Paris, Europe’s largest startup and technology event.
Addressing a global audience at the prestigious gathering, Modi delivered a strong message that India’s growth story is no longer confined to domestic transformation but is increasingly becoming a global opportunity.
“Work with India and deliver for all,” the Prime Minister said, inviting governments, entrepreneurs, researchers and businesses to collaborate in shaping technologies that benefit humanity and also encapsulating India’s vision of becoming a trusted global partner in the age of artificial intelligence and technological innovation.
India is participating as the official AI Country Partner at VivaTech 2026 and has made its largest-ever appearance at the event with more than 80 startups and technology companies displaying innovations in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, healthcare, mobility, clean energy and advanced computing.
Prime Minister Modi, accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron, visited the India Pavilion and interacted with entrepreneurs who are representing India’s growing technological capabilities on the world stage.
India-France Partnership Enters a New Era
The Prime Minister highlighted the strengthening strategic relationship between India and France, particularly in the field of innovation and emerging technologies.
He said France has become an important gateway connecting Indian startups with European markets. The collaboration has gained fresh momentum through the India-France Year of Innovation, which aims to deepen cooperation between entrepreneurs, researchers and technology institutions.
Modi also underlined that 2026 is a historic year as India and the European Union have concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement, creating fresh opportunities for trade, investment and technological partnerships.
He noted that such collaborations would accelerate innovation-driven growth and generate benefits for people across continents.
India’s Digital Revolution Draws Global Attention
During his address, the Prime Minister showcased India’s remarkable digital transformation achieved over the past decade.
He explained how technology has become an integral part of governance and everyday life for millions of Indians.
One of the most significant examples highlighted was India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which has revolutionised digital transactions globally.
The Prime Minister said India now accounts for nearly half of the world’s real-time digital payments and pointed out that UPI services are already operational in France, including iconic locations such as the Eiffel Tower and Paris Airport.
He also spoke about India’s digital public infrastructure ecosystem, which is increasingly being viewed as a global model.
Platforms like DigiLocker have enabled citizens to securely access official documents digitally, eliminating paperwork and improving efficiency.
Similarly, the PM Gati Shakti initiative has integrated multiple layers of infrastructure data into a unified planning platform, helping governments speed up project implementation.
“Technology can lead to progress only when it is democratised,” Modi said, emphasising that digital transformation should remain accessible to everyone rather than benefiting a select few.
AI Must Benefit Humanity
Artificial intelligence remained the central theme of India’s participation at VivaTech 2026.
Prime Minister Modi advocated for a human-centric approach to AI, arguing that technological advancements should enhance people’s lives while remaining inclusive and ethical.
“AI must improve lives, widen access, drive growth and also help us sustain a healthy planet,” he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated India’s unique perspective on artificial intelligence by saying, “For India, AI means All Inclusive.”
He stressed that the future of AI should not be shaped by monopolies or concentrated power structures but by collaboration, openness and accessibility.
India’s approach, according to Modi, combines innovation with responsibility, ensuring that emerging technologies create opportunities for every section of society.
Technology Reaching Villages and Farmers
A major part of the Prime Minister’s address focused on how technology is empowering ordinary citizens, particularly in rural India. He highlighted the Swamitva scheme, which uses drones and geospatial technologies to provide property ownership documents to rural households.
The initiative has already delivered millions of property cards, enabling families to unlock economic opportunities through formal ownership rights. PM Modi also shared examples of AI-powered solutions transforming agriculture and allied sectors.
He spoke about “Saralaben,” an artificial intelligence platform that is helping millions of women dairy farmers receive expert guidance in local languages.
Women drone pilots are now assisting farmers by spraying fertilisers and monitoring crops, while satellite technology is helping fishermen locate productive fishing zones. “Our technology solutions are delivering prosperity at the grassroots level,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that innovation should not remain confined to laboratories and urban centres but must directly improve people’s livelihoods.
India’s Scientific Ambitions Continue to Grow
Beyond digital infrastructure and AI, Modi highlighted India’s progress in advanced scientific sectors.
He reminded global audiences about India’s achievement of becoming the first country to successfully land near the Moon’s south pole, demonstrating its growing capabilities in space exploration.
He also mentioned recent progress in nuclear energy, including advances in India’s indigenous three-stage nuclear programme that seeks to harness the country’s abundant thorium reserves.
These achievements, he said, underline India’s determination to emerge as a global hub for scientific innovation.
Strong Message for Investors
The Prime Minister assured global investors that India offers an unmatched combination of talent, scale and policy support. He said the country has one of the world’s youngest populations, a thriving startup ecosystem and a government committed to simplifying regulations and supporting innovation.
India has also introduced incentive programmes worth billions of dollars to encourage manufacturing, research and technological development. Affordable data costs, expanding digital connectivity and increasing green energy capacity are creating favourable conditions for future growth.
“Our government will enable and industry will innovate. Startups will disrupt and global partners will scale with us,” PM Modi said.
As India positions itself at the centre of global conversations on artificial intelligence and digital transformation, the Prime Minister’s message from Paris was clear: the future of technology should be collaborative, inclusive and beneficial for all.
With a final appeal to innovators across the world, PM Modi urged them to join India’s growth journey and help build solutions that can serve humanity at large.
