Modi Showcases India’s Digital Transformation, Innovation Ecosystem at VivaTech 2026
Paris, June 18 (TNT): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted India’s rapid technology-driven transformation and growing innovation ecosystem, while calling for deeper collaboration between India and Europe in areas ranging from artificial intelligence and digital public infrastructure to startups and advanced technologies.
Addressing the VivaTech 2026 event in Paris, Modi said 2026 was a special year for India and Europe following the conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, which he said would expand trade, investment, technology partnerships and talent exchanges.
The Prime Minister noted that France was serving as a key bridge between the innovation ecosystems of India and Europe through the India-France Year of Innovation, helping startups from both regions forge new partnerships.
Highlighting India’s digital achievements, Modi said the country had built the world’s largest digital identity system and one of the largest digital payment platforms through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which now accounts for nearly half of the world’s real-time digital transactions.
He pointed out that UPI services are now available in France, including at the Eiffel Tower and Paris Airport.
The Prime Minister also showcased several digital public infrastructure initiatives, including DigiLocker, which serves over 700 million users, the PM Gati Shakti platform for integrated infrastructure planning, and the SVAMITVA scheme that uses drone and geospatial technologies to provide rural property ownership records.
Modi said Indian startups were leveraging technology to transform sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and fisheries, citing examples of AI-powered livestock advisory services, drone-based farming solutions and satellite-assisted fishing operations.
He also highlighted India’s advances in frontier technologies, including space exploration and nuclear energy, noting that India became the first country to land near the Moon’s south pole and recently achieved a milestone in its fast breeder reactor programme.
Describing India as one of the world’s most vibrant startup ecosystems with over 200,000 startups, Modi invited global investors and technology leaders to explore opportunities in the country.
The Prime Minister said India was supporting innovation through policy reforms, ease of doing business measures and incentives worth over USD 50 billion, while offering affordable data and low-cost green energy.
Emphasising the responsible use of emerging technologies, Modi said artificial intelligence should improve lives, widen access and promote sustainable growth.
“For India, AI means All Inclusive,” he said, adding that technology must be democratised and made accessible to all sections of society.
Calling for greater global collaboration, Modi said India’s approach was to enable innovation, support enterprise and create opportunities for startups and international partners to grow together. He urged global businesses and innovators to work with India to build inclusive and technology-driven solutions for the future.
TNT KS
