Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, urged global leaders and business executives at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi to reframe how power is understood in the 21st century, arguing that technology, data, knowledge, and innovation derive their true value not from who holds them, but from the purpose they serve.

The 'Power to Empower' Idea

Addressing the forum, whose theme this year centres on emerging powers, Modi laid out a philosophical shift he called 'power to empower'. 'Beyond power to control lies power to enable, beyond power to compete lies power to collaborate, beyond power to succeed lies power to help others succeed,' he said. The Prime Minister argued that in the third decade of the 21st century, the central question is no longer who accumulates power but whether that power creates opportunities for 'crores of people' or merely advances the privileged few.

India as a Case Study in Digital Access

Modi pointed to India's own digital transformation as a live illustration of the concept. He noted that 12–13 years ago, mobile internet access was itself a form of power — confined to those who could afford it. After 2014, he said, the government prioritised making mobile data affordable, with cascading effects across the economy. Today, he observed, even a small shopkeeper in a village can reach customers digitally — a shift he described as connectivity that 'not only connected people but also connected and offered opportunities.'

Scale of India's Information Ecosystem

To illustrate the country's democratic and informational plurality, Modi cited a range of figures: India has more than 100 languages, approximately 80,000 registered newspapers and publications, over 1,000 satellite TV channels, and more than 5 million YouTube and Instagram users. He described India as the 'mother of democracy,' where open debate and multiple viewpoints are actively discussed, and said digital power has played a defining role in amplifying that discourse in recent times.

The Broader Geopolitical Context

The remarks come as global conversations around technology governance, AI regulation, and digital sovereignty are intensifying. Modi's framing of power as a tool for collective advancement rather than competitive dominance offers a distinct counterpoint to ongoing debates at multilateral forums about AI concentration, data colonialism, and the digital divide. Notably, the Bloomberg New Economy Forum brings together heads of state, central bankers, and top executives — making it a platform where such articulations carry weight beyond rhetoric.

What to Watch

Modi's address is likely to inform India's positioning at upcoming multilateral engagements, including trade and technology discussions under India's continued G20 and Global South leadership. Policymakers and industry observers will watch whether the 'power to empower' framing translates into concrete policy proposals — particularly on AI access, digital public infrastructure, and data governance — in the months ahead.