PM Modi gets rousing Paris welcome from Indian diaspora at Salle Pleyel
Synopsis
Standing ovations at Salle Pleyel and chants of 'Modi, Modi' marked PM Modi's diaspora address in Paris — but the substance went beyond optics. From UPI's French rollout to a 250-million poverty-reduction claim and a pitch for the Global South at G7 Evian, Modi used the community platform to frame India's rise as both a domestic achievement and a global offer.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi addressed the Indian diaspora at Salle Pleyel, Paris on 19 June , receiving a colourful welcome with chants of 'Modi, Modi' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai.' Modi stated that India has lifted 250 million people out of poverty over the last 12 years .
The Prime Minister highlighted the expanding use of UPI in France as a boost to bilateral tourism flows.
Trade agreements with the UK and the EU were cited as new opportunities for Indian workers, farmers, and innovators.
Modi referenced India's participation in Bharat Innovates 2026 (Nice) and VivaTech 2026 (Paris), calling India 'a partner of choice in technology.' At the G7 Summit in Evian , Modi said India stands for trust-based partnerships where the Global South is treated as an equal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing reception from the Indian diaspora in Paris on 19 June, addressing a large community gathering at Salle Pleyel where crowds chanted 'Modi, Modi' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the warm welcome 'reflected the deep affection of the diaspora for the motherland.'
A Charged Gathering at Salle Pleyel
The Indian community in France turned out in significant numbers for the event, greeting the Prime Minister with colourful celebrations. In a post on social media platform X, Modi said: 'Here are glimpses from the wonderful community programme at Salle Pleyel in Paris. It's always special to interact with the Indian diaspora and highlight the collective strides of 140 crore Indians.'
The MEA noted that Modi highlighted the 'significant contributions of the Indian community across diverse fields in France,' acknowledging their role in connecting Indian innovation with global markets.
India–France Ties and People-to-People Links
Modi underlined the expanding footprint of the India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership, pointing to a growing number of Indian students, professionals, and tourists choosing France as a destination. He expressed appreciation for steps taken to ease the mobility of people between the two nations.
Notably, the Prime Minister highlighted the expanding use of UPI in France, saying it would give a boost to bilateral tourism flows — a concrete example of digital diplomacy translating into everyday connectivity.
India's Transformation: Key Themes from Modi's Address
Modi spoke of transformative changes within India, citing inclusive growth, women-led development, and advances in human-centric AI and frontier technologies. He stated that over the last 12 years, India has lifted 250 million people out of poverty.
He also referenced the recently concluded trade agreements with the UK and the EU, saying they would open new opportunities for Indian workers, farmers, and innovators. Alluding to India's participation in Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice and VivaTech 2026 in Paris, he described India as becoming 'a partner of choice in the field of technology for the global community.'
G7 Evian and the Global South
Elaborating on his participation in the G7 Summit in Evian, Modi said India 'firmly stands for creating trust-based international partnerships, where the Global South is treated as an equal partner.' He called on the diaspora to contribute to India's progress and join its Viksit Bharat journey.
The MEA concluded that the interaction 'reaffirmed India's continued commitment to the welfare, well-being, and engagement of its diaspora across the world.' The Paris community event is among the signature outreach moments of Modi's European visit.
Point of View
However, deserves scrutiny — its methodology and baseline year are contested by independent economists, and repeating it without attribution converts a political claim into a reported fact. Mainstream coverage tends to treat diaspora events as ceremonial; the more consequential thread here is whether the India–France Special Strategic Partnership produces concrete deliverables beyond optics.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did PM Modi address the Indian diaspora in Paris?
PM Modi addressed the Indian diaspora at Salle Pleyel in Paris on 19 June. The venue drew large numbers of Indian community members who greeted the Prime Minister with chants of 'Modi, Modi' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai.'
What did PM Modi say about UPI in France?
Modi highlighted the expanding footprint of UPI in France, stating it would boost tourism flows between India and France. He described it as a practical outcome of growing people-to-people ties between the two countries.
How many people has India lifted out of poverty, according to PM Modi?
PM Modi stated that India has lifted 250 million people out of poverty over the last 12 years. The figure was cited during his address to the Indian community in Paris, according to the MEA statement.
What is the Viksit Bharat journey Modi referred to?
Viksit Bharat — meaning 'Developed India' — is the Indian government's long-term vision to make India a fully developed nation. Modi invited the Indian diaspora in France to contribute to this goal and partner in India's progress.
What did Modi say at the G7 Summit in Evian?
At the G7 Summit in Evian, Modi said India firmly stands for trust-based international partnerships in which the Global South is treated as an equal partner. He also highlighted India's talent, skills, and innovation as contributions to solving global challenges in the digital age.
