From Chandrayaan to village drones: PM Modi tells diaspora how India is changing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted India's rapid economic and technological transformation, mentioning members of the Indian diaspora at Paris' Salle Pleyel concert hall that the country's rise was being powered by the aspirations of 1.4 billion people. He also said that India was no longer merely preparing for the future but actively shaping it.

Addressing the Indian community during his visit to France, PM Modi pointed to advances in financial inclusion, digital infrastructure, healthcare, space exploration and innovation, while urging overseas Indians to deepen their engagement with the country's development journey.

"Among the achievements of these 12 years, there is one that cannot be measured by statistics or numbers. It is the self-confidence of 1.4 billion Indians," Modi said. "Today's India is filled with confidence. India's youth are moving forward with great enthusiasm, and the women of India are demonstrating a new model of leadership."

'EVERY FAMILY HAS A BANK ACCOUNT'

The Prime Minister said government efforts over the past decade had transformed access to banking and public services, helping bring millions into the formal economy.

"Every family, no matter how poor, has a bank account. Financial inclusion has evolved from being merely a government programme into a movement for social transformation," he said.

Modi also highlighted India's digital revolution, saying technology had empowered citizens and made services more accessible.

"Today, banking services are available at the click of a button, anytime and anywhere," he said. "Through mobile phones, citizens now have easy access to a wide range of services and opportunities."

He said India had moved beyond digital identity creation, noting that nearly 900 million people had been issued Digital Health IDs to make healthcare more efficient and accessible.

Reflecting on India's development journey, PM Modi said many achievements that once appeared impossible had become part of everyday life. "Who could have thought that high-speed internet connectivity would reach village after village across the country?" he asked. "It once appeared unimaginable that a woman in a village would use a drone to assist with farming. Yet today, such innovations are steadily becoming a normal part of life."

COUNTRY DEVELOPING DUE TO COLLECTIVE ASPIRATIONS

Calling it the defining characteristic of a "new India", Modi said the country's transformation was driven not by any individual leader but by the collective aspirations of its people.

"What was once a dream is now a reality. What once seemed impossible has now become possible," he said. "It is not because of Modi. It is because of the people of India. When everyone progresses together, the nation progresses together."

The prime minister also showcased India's ambitions in frontier sectors, citing the success of the Chandrayaan lunar mission and upcoming projects such as the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission and plans for an Indian space station.

"The world viewed Chandrayaan as a remarkable achievement, but India did not stop there. For us, it was not the destination but the beginning of a new journey," he said.

Modi said India was simultaneously investing in sectors that would shape the coming decades, including artificial intelligence, nuclear technology, innovation and advanced manufacturing.

TRUST AS IMPORTANT AS COMMERCE IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD

Highlighting India's growing startup ecosystem, he said more than 120 Indian startups participated in the India Innovates initiative in France, where nearly 1,400 business-to-business meetings were held.

"India Innovates was not just a summit. It emerged as a new model of innovation diplomacy," Modi said, adding that several startups secured investment commitments and expanded engagement with French and European universities and incubators.

Turning to trade and international partnerships, Modi said trust had become as important as commerce in a world marked by uncertainty.

"There was a time when relationships between nations were defined primarily by trade. Today, along with trade, trust has become equally important," he said.

He noted that India was expanding its network of trade agreements and said the India-UK Free Trade Agreement would come into force next month, creating new opportunities for farmers, workers and innovators.

Modi also described the India-France relationship as a "strong pillar of trust, stability and cooperation" at a time of global uncertainty.

"We have elevated India-France relations to a Special Global Strategic Partnership," he said. "From defence to space and nuclear energy, from artificial intelligence and critical minerals to high-speed railways, we will move forward together across every sector."

The prime minister said India and France were working together on projects including the TRISHNA satellite mission, which aims to support global food and water security.

Concluding his address, Modi urged the Indian diaspora to play a larger role in India's development journey.

"As India moves rapidly towards becoming a developed and prosperous nation, I urge you to deepen your engagement with India," he said. "Your participation will add new strength to India's development journey and also give you an opportunity to serve the land of your ancestors," PM Modi said.

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