PM Modi Showcases India's Digital Transformation and Innovation Vision at VivaTech 2026 in Paris
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the prestigious VivaTech 2026 conference in Paris, highlighting India's remarkable technological transformation and its growing partnership with Europe through innovation, trade, and digital cooperation.
PM Shri @narendramodi participates in VivaTech 2026 in Paris. https://t.co/tOGiGeEHMY
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Calling 2026 a "special year" for India and Europe, PM Modi emphasized the significance of the recently concluded historic India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He stated that the agreement would strengthen trade and investment while opening new opportunities for the exchange of talent, technology, and tourism between the two regions.
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Prime Minister @narendramodi and French President @EmmanuelMacron visit the exhibition at VivaTech 2026 in Paris, France.@MEAIndia @IndiaembFrance @VivaTech #VivaTech2026 pic.twitter.com/xpuctXaCfe
The Prime Minister also highlighted the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, describing France as a vital bridge connecting the innovation ecosystems of India and Europe.
Reflecting on his previous address at VivaTech in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi noted that while the world then faced a health crisis, it is now witnessing disruptions of various kinds. He reiterated his earlier message that innovation can provide solutions when conventional approaches fall short.
India's Technology-Driven Transformation
PM Modi underscored India's rapid technological progress over the last decade. He pointed to the creation of the world's largest digital identity system and one of the world's most extensive digital payment infrastructures
According to the Prime Minister, technology is being used across sectors such as financial inclusion, education, healthcare, telemedicine, agriculture, and governance.
He highlighted the success of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), noting that nearly half of the world's real-time digital transactions now take place in India.
He also announced that UPI services are now available in France, allowing users to make payments at iconic locations such as the Eiffel Tower and Paris airports.
DigiLocker Empowering Millions
Highlighting India's digital public infrastructure, PM Modi praised DigiLocker as one of the world's largest digital document wallet platforms.
He revealed that more than 700 million users access authenticated digital documents through DigiLocker. The platform currently hosts over 2,000 standard documents, enabling citizens to securely access driving licences, vehicle registration certificates, educational records, and other important documents without relying on physical copies.
Expanding Frontiers of Science and Technology
The Prime Minister also spoke about India's achievements in advanced technologies, including space exploration and nuclear energy.
He highlighted India's historic achievement of becoming the first nation to land near the Moon's south pole and referred to the recent criticality achieved by India's prototype fast breeder reactor. He said the development marks a major step towards realizing India's three-stage nuclear energy vision, including the utilization of the country's vast thorium reserves.
AI Means "All Inclusive" for India
Addressing the future of Artificial Intelligence, PM Modi emphasized that technology must benefit everyone and contribute to sustainable development.
"AI must improve lives, widen access, drive growth, and help sustain a healthy planet," he said.
The Prime Minister noted that India's participation as the AI Country Partner at VivaTech 2026 reflects its commitment to inclusive innovation. He added that for India, AI stands for "All Inclusive," underscoring the country's vision of ensuring that technological advancements serve every section of society.
Strengthening India-Europe Innovation Ties
PM Modi concluded by reaffirming India's commitment to building stronger partnerships with Europe through technology, innovation, trade, and entrepreneurship. He said the India-EU FTA and the India-France Year of Innovation will create new opportunities for startups, businesses, researchers, and innovators on both sides.
The address positioned India as a leading global technology powerhouse and reinforced its vision of leveraging innovation for inclusive growth and sustainable development.