PM Modi at VivaTech Paris: ‘For India, AI Means All Inclusive’ — Full Speech Highlights
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a landmark address at VivaTech 2026 in Paris on Thursday, declaring that “for India, AI means All Inclusive” and positioning the country as a global leader in using artificial intelligence for inclusive development. Speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at Europe’s largest technology and startup event, Modi projected India as a technology powerhouse and invited global collaboration and investment in the country’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
India’s presence at VivaTech 2026 — as the Official AI Partner Country — was its largest ever at a European technology event, featuring a national pavilion with over 80 deep-tech and AI startups, demonstrations of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and showcases of India’s sovereign AI capabilities. The speech capped a six-day European tour that included the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, a historic state visit to Slovakia, and the adoption of the India-France Innovation Roadmap 2030.
Key Highlights of Modi’s VivaTech Speech
Modi’s address was wide-ranging, covering India’s technological achievements, its approach to AI governance, and its vision for global technology cooperation. Several themes emerged as central to India’s message at VivaTech:
“AI Means All Inclusive”: The speech’s defining line encapsulated India’s philosophy of technology development. Modi argued that AI should not be the preserve of wealthy nations or large corporations but must be deployed to improve the lives of all people, including farmers, small business owners, and citizens in remote areas. He pointed to India’s deployment of AI in crop insurance claims processing, healthcare diagnostics, and government service delivery as examples of this inclusive approach.
Related: Bharat Innovates 2026: PM Modi and Macron Inaugurate Global Deep-Tech Conclave in Nice, France
India-EU Free Trade Agreement: Modi referenced the historic India-EU free trade agreement concluded earlier in 2026, describing it as a foundation for expanded technology cooperation. “2026 is a special year for India and Europe,” he said. “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.”
India-France Innovation Bridge: Modi highlighted France’s role as a bridge between Indian and European technology ecosystems, referencing the India-France Year of Innovation and the Innovation Roadmap 2030 adopted during his earlier meetings with Macron. “France is serving as an important bridge that is bringing the tech ecosystem of India and Europe closer,” he said.
India’s Technology Showcase
The Indian pavilion at VivaTech was organised around India’s most distinctive technology contributions: the India Stack (Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, ONDC), the IndiaAI Mission, and the country’s burgeoning startup ecosystem. Over 80 startups demonstrated capabilities spanning healthtech, agritech, fintech, cybersecurity, and deep tech, reflecting the breadth and global ambitions of India’s technology sector.
Modi toured the pavilion alongside French leadership, stopping at several startup demonstrations and engaging with founders. The tour reinforced the message that India’s technology capabilities extend far beyond traditional IT services into cutting-edge areas including AI, quantum computing, and space technology.
India’s selection as VivaTech’s partner country came with significant visibility: the Indian pavilion occupied a prime location at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Indian tricolour branding was prominent throughout the venue, and Indian startups had access to some of Europe’s most influential technology investors and executives.
Responsible AI and Global Collaboration
A significant portion of Modi’s speech focused on responsible AI development. He emphasised that India’s approach to AI prioritises human welfare, transparency, and accountability, and invited global partners to collaborate on developing AI governance frameworks that balance innovation with protection.
The Prime Minister highlighted India’s advanced projects — including lunar missions, fast breeder nuclear reactors, and population-scale digital identity systems — as evidence that India has the technical capability to be a responsible AI leader. He also pointed to the recent Sarvam AI unicorn milestone and HCLTech’s ₹1,270 crore investment in the company as examples of India’s growing AI ecosystem.
The Diplomatic Context
Modi’s VivaTech appearance was part of a broader diplomatic strategy that used the European tour to advance India’s technology positioning simultaneously in bilateral (France, Slovakia), minilateral (G7), and commercial (VivaTech) settings. The multi-track approach demonstrated India’s ability to operate across different diplomatic registers and to connect technology policy with trade, investment, and geopolitical objectives.
For India’s technology sector, VivaTech 2026 represented a statement of intent: the country is no longer content to be the world’s back office for technology services. It is positioning itself as a creator, innovator, and exporter of technology solutions — and the world, as Modi’s reception in Paris demonstrated, is increasingly taking that claim seriously.
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