English Translation of Prime Minister's Address during the Indian Community Event
Namaste!
Bonjour!
It seems that all of you are in a holiday mood.
Friends,
The city of Paris, is the city of lights and colours. It is a place of art, ideas, and inspiration for innovation. All of you, coming here from different states of India, make this city even more beautiful. You fill it with new and vibrant colours.
Some are Tamil, some are Punjabi, some are Gujarati, some are Marathi, and some are Bengali. The representation of every corner of India can be seen here.
Friends,
When I arrived in Nice on 14 June, the first event I attended was Bharat Innovates. Today, as I prepare to return from France, it feels as though I have arrived at Bharat Connects Program.
The way all of you living in France have connected and strengthened the India–France relations in the 21st century has become a major pillar of our strategic partnership. I have come here carrying the good wishes of 1.4 billion Indians for all of you. For this warm and heartfelt welcome, I express my sincere gratitude to each one of you.
Friends,
Today, I have come to France at a time when our government has just completed 12 years in office. To continuously serve the nation for 12 years as an elected Prime Minister has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. It is the strength of India's democracy that has enabled a tea seller to reach this position.
Friends,
The past 12 years have been a testament to the extraordinary capabilities of 1.4 billion Indians. During this period, India's GDP has doubled. The number of airports has doubled. The number of universities has also doubled. The pace of highway construction has increased threefold, and the metro network has expanded fourfold.
Let me give you a few more facts, which will help you understand the speed and scale at which India is progressing. Over the past 12 years, India's Defence Export has increased by 35 times.
And here's another fact: the number of mobile manufacturing units in India has increased by 100 times. India is now the world's second-largest mobile phone manufacturer. It is the result of this pace and this progress that today India is the fastest growing major economy in the world.
Friends,
Today, India's story is not just a story of economic progress. It does not stop there. It is also a story of social transformation.
Over the past 12 years, 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty in India. In other words, this is a form of progress whose benefits are reaching the last person in society. In the last 12 years, we have built more permanent houses for those in need than the total number of homes in France.
Today, every family, no matter how poor, has a bank account. Financial inclusion is no longer just a government programme; it has become a movement for social transformation.
Friends,
Among the achievements of these 12 years, there is one that cannot be measured by any statistic or number. That achievement is the self-confidence of 1.4 billion Indians.
Today's India, and the youth of today's India, are dreaming big. India's farmers are moving forward with new opportunities. India's women are demonstrating new leadership. That is why these are not just 12 years of achievements; they have been a period of taking India's aspirations to new heights.
Friends,
There was a time when delivering modern amenities to remote villages was truly a difficult task. Today, those very villages have electricity, internet connectivity, and access to an entire world of digital services. Today, banking services are available anytime, anywhere, with just a click.
Today, mobile phones are connecting the citizens of India to a wide range of services and opportunities. Our farmers, our fishermen, our dairy farmers, our women, and our students are all being empowered through technology and are creating new opportunities for themselves.
Friends,
You would have heard about more than 1.25 billion Aadhaar IDs. But today, India is not just digitising identity. Nearly 900 million Indians now have Unique Digital Health IDs. As a result, medical records have become secure and accessible. This is making healthcare delivery easier and more efficient.
Friends,
The most remarkable aspect of these achievements is that, until a few years ago, most of them seemed unimaginable. Who could have imagined that high-speed internet would reach every village? Who could have imagined that QR codes would become a part of everyday life even in the most remote villages? It once seemed impossible that a woman in a village would carry out farming operations using a drone.
But today, all of this is steadily becoming a normal part of the lives of millions of Indians. And you will be proud, friends, because this is the identity of new India. What was once a dream is now a reality. What once seemed impossible has now become possible. And what is the greatest force behind making all this happen? Who has made this become possible? It is not because of Modi; it is the force of India's democracy. It is India's democracy where there is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.
Friends,
Fifty or even a hundred years from now, when this period in India's history is reviewed, it will become clear that it was India's aspirations that drove this era. This is a new age of India's aspirations.
Where electricity has reached, people no longer want just electricity; they want smart living. Where trains have reached, people want high-speed connectivity. Where highways have been built, people want world-class expressways. Where internet has reached, people want leadership in AI and digital innovation. In other words, the people of India today want to take their own lives to the next level, and they are equally determined to take India to the next level. That is their purpose, their resolve, and their dream.
And friends,
These aspirations are the greatest driving force behind India's development journey today. Let me illustrate this with the example of India's space programme. India successfully landed Chandrayaan-3 near the Moon's South Pole, an achievement that was widely recognized around the world. However, India did not treat this as its final destination. Today, the country is preparing for Gaganyaan and is steadily moving towards the goal of establishing its own space station.
India's space startups are working with great determination and innovation to establish a strong presence in the global space economy.
Friends,
The same aspirations are reflected in India's efforts in the field of green energy. India's achievements in solar power are being widely recognized around the world. However, India is already preparing for the next stage of growth and innovation in clean energy.
India is making significant investments in green hydrogen and rapidly advancing work in the field of advanced nuclear energy. You may also be aware of the progress made on India's Fast Breeder Nuclear Reactor. This is a major achievement by Indian scientists and has the potential to bring about a transformative change in India's nuclear energy landscape.
Friends,
Today, India is building an ecosystem for the future. We are investing across all key sectors that will shape the world and drive progress in the decades ahead.
As you saw just a few days ago in Nice, the Bharat Innovates event showcased India's innovation and deep-tech capabilities to the world. More than 120 deep-tech startups participated in the event. Around 1,400 B2B meetings were held, creating new opportunities for collaboration. Several startups advanced discussions on investment commitments and opened pathways for commercial orders. Engagements with French and European universities, as well as incubators, have also strengthened.
The event also created new opportunities for student exchanges, joint research, and innovation support. As a result, Bharat Innovates became more than just a summit. It emerged as a new model of innovation diplomacy.
And today, through the VivaTech event in Paris, we have taken this journey even further. In Nice, we connected ideas with capital; in Paris, we connected Indian innovation with global scale. The world is now seeing that India is not merely preparing for the future—India is helping shape it.
Friends,
There was a time when relations between countries were defined mainly by trade. Today, trust has become just as important as trade. Every country seeks reliable supply chains and stable partnerships. Nations are looking for partners they can depend on over the long term. In this environment, India is emerging as a trusted and reliable partner for the world.
During the G7 meeting in Evian, I emphasized the need to build trust-based partnerships and called for advancing together with countries of the Global South as equal partners. India's message at the G7 Summit was clear: global governance can be effective only if it is inclusive, global growth can be sustainable only if it is shared, and global technology can truly serve humanity only if it is trusted.
Friends,
New momentum is visible in India's trade relationships with the world. Trade between India and France continues to grow steadily. In recent years, India has concluded Free Trade Agreements with several countries and regions. Whether it is the European Union, the United Kingdom, or other partners across the globe, India is actively strengthening economic ties and expanding cooperation through trade agreements.
From next month, the trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom will come into effect. This agreement will create new opportunities for India's farmers, workers, and innovators, while strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
Friends,
Today, the world is passing through a period of uncertainty and disruption. At such a time, the partnership between India and France is emerging as a strong pillar of trust, stability, and cooperation.
This year, we elevated India–France relations to a Special Global Strategic Partnership. In Nice, President Emmanuel Macron and I discussed how our partnership can become a force for global good. From defence, space, and nuclear energy to AI, critical minerals, and high-speed rail, we will continue to advance together across a wide range of strategic sectors.
Friends,
Whether it is solar energy or cooperation in the field of Artificial Intelligence, India and France are working together to develop solutions that benefit all of humanity. Last year in Paris and this year in New Delhi, we co-chaired the AI Summit.
We are now preparing to jointly launch the TRISHNA satellite next year. This mission will contribute to global food and water security.
And friends,
Your contribution to all these government-to-government initiatives is extremely important. You are the strongest bridge between India and Europe. You understand both societies and both markets. In the years ahead, your role in advancing new opportunities in talent, trade, technology, tourism, and investment will become even more significant.
Friends,
India and France have been brought closer by shared history, shared values, and mutual trust. The memories of Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice on French soil during the World Wars continue to serve as a lasting bond between our two nations.
I have had the privilege of paying tribute at Neuve-Chapelle, and last year I also had the opportunity to visit the war memorial in Marseille with President Emmanuel Macron. These sites stand as are our shared heritage.
France not only preserves but also appreciates the contributions of Indians. Whether it is Noor Inayat Khan, who sacrificed her life for the French Resistance, or Jean-François Allard, who worked with Maharaja Ranjit Singh, both are enduring symbols of the shared heritage between India and France.
The French legacy can also be seen in the Indian state of Puducherry. Its architecture, art, culture, and cuisine reflect the enduring influence of our shared history and the close ties between India and France.
Friends,
At this time, preparations for International Yoga Day are underway across the world, including in France. On this occasion, I would also like to pay my respectful tribute to Mr. Mahesh Ghatradyal, who played a significant role in promoting yoga in France. I also extend my salutations to Padma awardee Ms. Charlotte Chopin, who, even at the age of one hundred, has connected France with India's heritage through yoga. Her life proves that: “Yoga does not add years to life, it adds life to years.”
Friends,
I also remember Mr. Fred Negrit with deep respect and reverence. His contribution to preserving India's heritage has been truly invaluable.
Friends,
There is one more thing that connects India and France, and that is football. Right now, football fever is at its peak here. The passion for it is visible everywhere across France. But in India too, the craze for football runs deep.
The French team also has a very large fan following in India. France has begun this World Cup campaign with an emphatic victory. I extend my very best wishes to the French team.
Friends,
Before I leave, I have a few more pieces of good news for all of you. These are especially for you. Last year, a consulate was opened in Marseille, which has made things much more convenient. And just a few weeks ago, a visa-free transit facility at French airports was introduced for Indian nationals.
Whether it is increasing the Mobility of Students and Professionals, advancing the Mutual Recognition of Educational Qualifications, or enabling French Universities to open campuses in India, we are moving forward together on all these fronts.
Now, the scope of UPI usage in France is set to expand even further. Which means India–France connectivity will be instant, and mutual payments will also be instant!
Friends,
Through all these initiatives, we are bringing India and France even closer together. And I would say once again that the foundation of this partnership, the true strength of this relationship, is all of you. You are all my fellow countrymen and countrywomen.
Today, as India moves rapidly towards the goal of becoming a developed nation, I would urge all of you to deepen your engagement with India. This will give new strength to India's development journey, while also giving you an opportunity to serve the land of your ancestors.
With these words, I once again express my gratitude to all of you for your affection, your enthusiasm, and this warm and heartfelt welcome.
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
Thank you very much.
DISCLAIMER -This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister's Statement. Original Statement was delivered in Hindi.
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MJPS/SS/ST