Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted India’s rapid technological transformation and said the country is leveraging digital tools at an unprecedented scale to drive financial inclusion, healthcare, education and agricultural development. Addressing the 10th edition of VivaTech 2026 in Paris, he said Indian startups were forging new partnerships and expanding the country’s innovation ecosystem.

Describing technology as a force that must benefit everyone, the Prime Minister said India was pushing the boundaries of human capability in areas ranging from space technologies to nuclear energy, while strengthening collaboration with Europe through growing economic and technological ties.

PM Modi Highlights India-EU and India-France Partnerships

Speaking at Europe’s largest technology and innovation event, Modi congratulated French President Emmanuel Macron and the organisers for the success of VivaTech.

He said 2026 marked a significant year for India and Europe following the conclusion of the India-European Union free trade agreement earlier this year.

“I’m delighted to be in Paris for the 10th edition of VivaTech. This is Europe’s biggest technology event. I congratulate President Macron and the organizers for the success of VivaTech. 2026 is a special year for India and Europe. At the beginning of the year, we concluded the historic India-EU free trade agreement. This agreement will expand our trade and investment. And it will open up many pathways for the exchange of talent, technology, and tourism,” the Prime Minister said.

He also highlighted the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation and said France was playing an important role in bringing together the technology ecosystems of India and Europe.

“With the launch of the India-France year of innovation, this year, France is serving as an important bridge that is bringing the tech ecosystem of India and Europe closer,” he said.

Technology Must Deliver for Everyone, Says PM

Modi said India believes technological advancement should serve the interests of all sections of society, particularly in an era marked by rapid disruptions.

“We are using technology at a massive scale for financial inclusion, education, telemedicine, agriculture and more. From Bharat Innovates, held a few days ago in Nice, to Viva Tech in Paris today, our start-ups are forging many new partnerships. From space technologies to nuclear energy, we are expanding the frontiers of human capability,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the country had undergone a profound transformation over the last decade, powered largely by technological innovation.

He pointed to India’s digital public infrastructure as an example of how technology can be deployed at scale.

UPI and Digital Public Goods in Focus

Modi said India had created some of the world’s largest digital platforms, including its digital identity framework and payment systems.

“From creating the world’s largest digital identity system to the world’s largest digital payment platforms. Because of our Unified Payments Interface or UPI, half of the world’s real-time digital transactions happen in India today,” he said.

He noted that UPI services are now available in France as well and can be used at locations such as the Eiffel Tower and Paris airports.

“You can now use UPI in France too at the Eiffel Tower or the Paris airport. We have several examples of such world-class digital public goods. DigiLocker is one of the world’s largest digital document wallet,” the Prime Minister said.

VivaTech is regarded as Europe’s premier gathering for technology and innovation and brings together entrepreneurs, investors, companies and policymakers from around the world.

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