Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 18 June addressed members of the Indian diaspora in Paris, describing the French capital as 'the city of lights, the city of colours' and praising it as a global hub of art, ideas, and innovation. The address came during the final leg of his visit to France and Slovakia, and coincided with his government completing 12 years in office.

Diaspora as a Bridge Between Two Nations

Modi noted that the gathering included Indians from across the country — Tamils, Punjabis, Gujaratis, and Marathis — whose diversity, he said, added new hues to Paris's cultural fabric. He credited the diaspora's collective efforts as a 'great strength' of the India–France strategic partnership and conveyed greetings from India's 1.4 billion citizens.

Members of the diaspora described the occasion as proud and memorable, saying Modi's presence made them feel connected to their homeland despite being thousands of miles away.

12 Years in Office: Key Milestones Cited

The Prime Minister used the occasion to outline what he described as India's transformation over the past 12 years. He said exports had increased 35-fold and mobile manufacturing units had grown 100-fold, positioning India as the world's second-largest mobile manufacturer. He added that India was now the fastest-growing major economy.

On social progress, Modi said 25 crore people had been lifted out of poverty over the same period. He also pointed to India's digital push, noting that around 90 crore citizens had been assigned unique digital health IDs, ensuring secure medical records and more efficient healthcare delivery. He said high-speed internet had reached remote villages — something he described as once unimaginable.

Democracy, Aspirations, and the Road Ahead

Modi reflected on what he called the strength of India's democracy, noting that it had enabled 'a tea seller to rise to the nation's highest office.' He said serving as elected Prime Minister for 12 consecutive years was both an honour and an opportunity.

He added that India's youth were dreaming big, farmers were embracing new possibilities, and women were demonstrating leadership across sectors. 'These 12 years were not just about achievements but about raising India's aspirations to new heights,' he said.

Paris Visit: VivaTech, G7, and Bilateral Meetings

Earlier on the same day, Modi addressed VivaTech 2026, one of Europe's largest technology and innovation conferences. He also attended the G7 Summit in Evian and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders.

On his arrival in Paris, Modi posted on social media platform X: 'Reached Paris a short while ago to a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora. I am proud of their efforts in bringing India and France closer. The India–France partnership is vital for the progress of our planet.'

With bilateral ties framed around technology, trade, and strategic cooperation, Modi's Paris stop signals that the India–France partnership is set to deepen further in the months ahead.