Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking to the Indian diaspora in Paris, said it has been a “great privilege” of his life to serve the country for 12 consecutive years as an elected Prime Minister.
In his address, Modi described Paris as a city of colours and ideas, and noted the diverse presence of Indians from across regions, including Tamils, Punjabis, Gujaratis, Maharashtrians and Bengalis. He thanked the community for what he called a special welcome, saying he carried greetings from 140 crore Indians.
Modi said India has seen transformative growth across sectors over the past 12 years, citing a doubling of GDP and an expansion in infrastructure such as airports, universities and highways. He also pointed to a sharp rise in exports and a major increase in mobile phone manufacturing, saying India now ranks second globally in mobile production.
He added that India’s progress is reflected not only in economic indicators but also in social change, claiming 25 crore people have moved out of poverty. Looking ahead, he said India is investing in innovation and opportunities for future generations, while advancing in space missions, solar energy and green hydrogen.
Modi said global partnerships today are shaped by trust as much as trade, and argued that India is emerging as a reliable partner with stable supply chains. He also noted that India’s trade ties with France are steadily growing and that India has signed several free trade agreements with countries in recent years.
