Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 18 June 2026 told a global audience at the VivaTech 2026 conference in Paris that India's technology-driven solutions are actively creating prosperity at the grassroots level, citing breakthroughs in agriculture, fisheries, healthcare, and digital services as evidence that innovation is reaching ordinary citizens.

Key Developments from the VivaTech Address

Addressing one of Europe's largest technology gatherings, Modi underscored that democratising technology — making it accessible beyond urban centres — is central to India's development model. He positioned India not merely as a technology producer but as a country engineering solutions for its most marginalised communities.

Among the standout examples he cited: an AI application called Sarlaben, which communicates with millions of women dairy farmers in their native languages, offering expert guidance on livestock health and management. He also highlighted a programme training Indian women as drone pilots for fertiliser spraying and crop monitoring, and a satellite-data system guiding hundreds of thousands of fishermen to optimal fishing zones — helping them cut fuel costs, reduce time at sea, and improve their catch.

India's Startup Ecosystem and Deep-Tech Ambitions

Modi drew attention to India's startup landscape, noting that the country now hosts more than 200,000 startups, placing it among the world's most dynamic startup ecosystems. He framed this as evidence of a broader innovation culture taking root across sectors.

On deep technology, the Prime Minister pointed to two milestone achievements: India's distinction as the first country to land near the Moon's south pole, and the recent achievement of criticality by India's prototype fast breeder reactor. He said the latter brings India meaningfully closer to realising its three-stage nuclear energy vision, which includes harnessing the country's substantial thorium reserves. 'From space technologies to nuclear energy, we are expanding the frontiers of human capability,' he said.

India's Vision for Inclusive AI

Emphasising India's philosophy on artificial intelligence, Modi argued that AI must serve a triple mandate: improving lives, widening access, and supporting sustainable growth. 'AI must improve lives, widen access, drive growth and also help us sustain a healthy planet,' he said.

He noted that India's participation as the AI Country Partner at VivaTech 2026 reflects this inclusive vision, adding with a play on words: 'For India, AI means all-inclusive.'

Why This Matters

The VivaTech address comes as India intensifies its pitch to global technology investors and partners. By anchoring its technology narrative in rural and grassroots impact — rather than solely in metropolitan startup culture — the government is signalling a policy direction that links innovation investment to social outcomes. This comes amid growing international debate over AI equity and the digital divide, positioning India as a potential model for technology-led inclusive development.

As India's global technology diplomacy deepens, the next test will be whether the grassroots programmes Modi cited scale sustainably and whether the three-stage nuclear vision advances on its stated timelines.