On Thursday (July 14), Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed members of the Indian diaspora at the La Seine Musicale centre in the western suburbs of Paris in France.
At the very onset of his address, PM Modi emphasised, “Away from the country, when I hear the call of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, it feels as if I have come home. Wherever we Indians go, we definitely create a mini India.”
He added, “Be it climate change, global supply chain, terrorism, extremism, India’s experience in dealing with every challenge is proving helpful to the world.”
“The land of India is witnessing a big change. The command of this change lies with the citizens of India, with the sisters and daughters of India, with the youth of India. Today the whole world is full of new hope and new hope towards India,” he emphasised.
PM Modi said, “I came out of my home with a resolve. Every part of me and every moment of time is dedicated to my countrymen.”
India’s success story
PM Modi pointed out that India is the ‘mother of democracy’ and the country is a ‘model of diversity’. While speaking about India’s economic success story, he said, “You will be filled with pride knowing that India has become the world’s 5th largest economy in 10 years.”
“Today the world believes that it will not take long for India to become a 5 trillion economy,” he added. PM Modi also spoke about the report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), wherein it congratulated India for lifting 415 million people out of poverty in the past 15 years.
While speaking about the G20 Summit, he said, “Today, the world is moving towards new world order. The capability and the role of India is changing fast. At this time, India is the President of the G20 group. It’s for the first time, in a country’s Presidency, that more than 200 meetings are being held across the country.”
UPI revolution in India
“Today 46% of the world’s real-time digital transactions take place in India. I also challenge you that when you come to India next time, come without keeping a single penny in your pocket and just download the UPI app on your mobile phone. You can travel all over India and live without cash,” he emphasised.
PM Modi applauded India’s 24/7 banking service and direct benefit transfer, which has brought about a massive social transformation in the country.
“In France, an agreement has been made for the use of India’s UPI…It will be started from the Eiffel Tower, and now Indian tourists would be able to make payments in Rupees, through UPI, at Eiffel Tower,” he announced.
Enhanced bilateral relations with France
PM Modi informed that owing to enhanced bilateral ties with France, the post-study visa for Indian students has been increased to 5 years from 2 years.
“Very few people know that India and France are working on archaeological missions for a long time. It’s expanded from Chandigarh to Ladakh. Digital infrastructure is another sector that strengthens the ties between India and France,” he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also heaped praise on French footballer, Kylian Mbappe. “He is superhit among the youth in India. Mbappe is probably known to more people in India than in France,” he was heard saying.
The Indian Prime Minister also thanked the French government for paying respect to the Indian soldiers, who fought for the country over 100 years ago.
He said that he was the first member of a French cultural centre, named Alliance française in Ahmedabad, when it opened 40 years ago.
Invest in India and tourism
PM Modi also congratulated the ISRO scientists for the launch of the Chandrayaan-3 space mission. He also urged the world to come and invest in India.
During his address, the Indian Prime Minister called upon the Indian diaspora to encourage French citizens to visit India and discover the richness of the country.
