QuoteFacebook, Twitter, Instagram are the new neighbourhoods of our new world: PM Modi
QuoteThe status that now matters is not whether you are awake or asleep, but whether you are online or offline: PM
QuoteOur government has attacked poverty by using the power of networks and mobile phones: PM
QuotePace at which people are taking to digital technology defies our stereotypes of age, education, language and income: PM
QuoteIn this digital age, we have an opportunity to transform lives of people: PM
QuoteI see technology as a means to empower and as a tool that bridges the distance between hope and opportunity: PM
QuoteSocial media is reducing social barriers: PM Modi
QuoteDigital India is an enterprise for India's transformation: PM Modi
QuoteWe will transform governance, making it more transparent, accountable, accessible and participative: PM Modi
QuoteM-governance has the potential to make development a truly inclusive and comprehensive mass movement: PM
QuoteMyGov.in, Narendra Modi mobile app helping me stay in close touch with people: PM
QuoteWe are using technology to impart scale and speed to development: PM
QuoteWe must ensure that technology is accessible, affordable, and adds value: PM

Thank you, Shantanu, John, Satya, Paul, Sunder, and Venkatesh

A big thank you!

I am sure this was not pre-arranged. But, here on stage you see a perfect picture of India-U.S. partnership in the digital economy.

Good Evening, everyone!

|

If there was ever a gathering under one roof that could claim to be shaping the world, it is this. And, I am not talking about those in public office, here or in India! It’s a great pleasure to be here in California. It is one of the last places in the world to see the sun set. But, it is here that new ideas see the first light of the day. 

It’s a great honour that you have joined us tonight. I have met many of you in Delhi and New York, and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

These are the new neighborhoods of our new world.

If Facebook were a country, it would be the third most populous one and the most connected.

Google today has made teachers less awe-inspiring and grandparents more idle. Twitter has turned everyone into a reporter. The traffic lights that need to work the best are on CISCO routers.

The status that now matters is not whether you are awake or asleep, but whether you are online or offline. The most fundamental debate for our youth is the choice between Android, iOS or Windows.

From computing to communication, entertainment to education, from printing documents to printing products, and, now to internet of things, it's been a long journey in a short time.

From cleaner energy to better healthcare and safer transport, everything is converging around the work you do.

In Africa, it's helping people transfer money on phone. It has made reaching small island states no longer a journey of adventure, but a convenient click of a mouse.

|

In India, a mother in a distant hill village has a better chance to save her new born infant. A child in a remote village has better access to education.

A small farmer is more confident about his land holding and getting better market price. A fisherman on the sea has a better catch. And, a young professional in San Francisco can Skype daily to comfort her sick grandmother in India.

An initiative by a father in Haryana for "Selfie with daughter" to draw attention to the girl child became an international movement.

All this is because of the work you people are doing. Since my government came to office last year, we have attacked poverty by using the power of networks and mobile phones to launch a new era of empowerment and inclusion: 180 million new bank accounts in a few months; direct transfer of benefits to the poor; funds for the unbanked; insurance within the reach of the poorest; and, pension for the sunset years for all.

By using Space technology and internet, we have been able to identify in the last few months 170 applications that will make governance better and development faster.

When a small craftsman in a village in India brings a smile to a customer looking at his phone on a metro ride in New York; When a heart patient in a remote hospital in Kyrgyz Republic is treated by doctors sitting in Delhi, as I saw in Bishkek, we know we are creating something that has fundamentally changed our lives.

The pace at which people are taking to digital technology defies our stereotypes of age, education, language and income. I like recounting my meeting with a group of unlettered tribal women in a remote part of Gujarat. They were present at a local milk chilling plant I was inaugurating. They were using cell phones to take photographs of the event. I asked them what they would do with the images. The answer was a surprise for me.

They said,they would go back, have the images downloaded on to a computer and take printouts. Yes, they were familiar with the language of our digital world.

And, farmers in Maharashtra State have created a Whatsapp group to share information on farming practices.

Customers, more than creators, are defining the use of a product. The world may be driven by the same ancient impulses. We will continue to see human struggles and successes. We will witness human glory and tragedies.

But, in this digital age, we have an opportunity to transform lives of people in ways that was hard to imagine just a couple of decades ago.

|

This is what sets us apart from the century that we have just left behind. There may be still some who see the digital economy as the tool of the rich, educated and the privileged. But, ask the taxi driver or the corner vendor in India what he has gained from his cell phone, and the debate gets settled. I see technology as a means to empower and as a tool that bridges the distance between hope and opportunity. Social media is reducing social barriers. It connects people on the strength of human values, not identities.

Today, technology is advancing citizen empowerment and democracy that once drew their strength from Constitutions. Technology is forcing governments to deal with massive volume of data and generate responses, not in 24 hours but in 24 minutes.

When you think of the exponential speed and scale of expansion of social media or a service, you have to believe that it is equally possible to rapidly transform the lives of those who have long stood on the margins of hope. So, friends out of this conviction was born the vision of Digital India.

It is an enterprise for India's transformation on a scale that is, perhaps, unmatched in human history. Not just to touch the lives of the weakest, farthest and the poorest citizen of India, but change the way our nation will live and work.

For nothing else will do in a country with 800 million youth under the age of 35 years, impatient for change and eager to achieve it.

We will transform governance, making it more transparent, accountable, accessible and participative. I spoke of E-Governance as a foundation of better governance – efficient, economical and effective.

I now speak of M-Governance or mobile governance. That is the way to go in a country with one billion cell phones and use of smart phones growing at high double digit rates. It has the potential to make development a truly inclusive and comprehensive mass movement. It puts governance within everyone's reach.

After MyGov.in, I have just launched the Narendra Modi Mobile App. They are helping me stay in close touch with people. I learn a great deal from their suggestions and complaints.

We want to free our citizens from the burden of excessive paper documents in every office. We want paperless transactions. We will set up a digital locker for every citizen to store personal documents that can be shared across departments.

We have set up Ebiz portal to make approvals for businesses and citizens easy and efficient so that they concentrate their energy on their goals, not on government processes.

We are using technology to impart scale and speed to development.

Information, education, skills, healthcare, livelihood, financial inclusion, small and village enterprises, opportunities for women, conservation of natural resources, distributed clean energy – entirely new possibilities have emerged to change the development model.

But for all this, we must bridge the digital divide and promote digital literacy in the same way that we seek to ensure general literacy.

|

We must ensure that technology is accessible, affordable, and adds value.

We want our 1.25 billion citizens to be digitally connected. We already have broadband usage across India go up by 63% last year. We need to accelerate this further.

We have launched an aggressive expansion of the National Optical Fibre Network that will take broadband to our 600,000 villages. We will connect all schools and colleges with broadband. Building I-ways are as important as highways.

We are expanding our public Wi-Fi hotspots. For example, we want to ensure that free Wi Fi is not only there in airport lounges, but also on our railway platforms. Teaming up with Google, we will cover 500 railway stations in a short time.

We are also setting up Common Service Centres in villages and towns. We will also use information technology to build smart cities.

And, we want to turn our villages into smart economic hubs and connect our farmers better to markets and makes them less vulnerable to the whims of weather.

For me, access also means that content should be in local languages. In a country with 22 official languages, it is a formidable, but an important task.

Affordability of products and services is critical for our success. There are many dimensions to this. We will promote manufacture of quality and affordable products in India. That is part of our vision of Make in India, Digital India and Design in India.

As our economy and our lives get more wired, we are also giving the highest importance to data privacy and security, intellectual property rights and cyber security.

And,I know to achieve the vision of Digital India, the government must also start thinking a bit like you.

So, from creating infrastructure to services, from manufacture of products to human resource development, from support governments to enabling citizens and promoting digital literacy, Digital India is a vast cyber world of opportunities for you.

|

The task is huge; the challenges are many. But, we also know that we will not reach new destinations without taking new roads.

Much of India that we dream of is yet to be built. So, we have the opportunity to shape its path now.

And, we have the talent, enterprise and skills to succeed.

We also have the strength of the partnership between India and the United States.

Indians and Americans have worked together to shape the knowledge economy. They have made us aware of the vast potential of technology.

From large corporate to young professionals in this great centre of innovation, each can be part of the Digital India story.

The sustainable development of one-sixth of humanity will be a major force of good for our world and our planet.

Today, we speak of India-U.S. partnership as a defining partnership of this century. It hinges on two major reasons. Both converge here in California.

We all know that the dynamic Asia Pacific Region will shape the course of this century. And, India and the United States, the world's two largest democracies, are located at the two ends of this region.

We have the responsibility to shape a future of peace, stability and prosperity in this region.

Our relationship is also defined by the power of youth, technology and innovation. These can ignite a partnership that will advance and sustain prosperity in our two countries.

Even more, in this Digital Age, we can draw on the strength of our values and partnership to shape a better and more sustainable future for the world.

Thank you.

Explore More
78-ാം സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യ ദിനത്തില്‍ ചുവപ്പ് കോട്ടയില്‍ നിന്ന് പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി ശ്രീ നരേന്ദ്ര മോദി നടത്തിയ പ്രസംഗം

ജനപ്രിയ പ്രസംഗങ്ങൾ

78-ാം സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യ ദിനത്തില്‍ ചുവപ്പ് കോട്ടയില്‍ നിന്ന് പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി ശ്രീ നരേന്ദ്ര മോദി നടത്തിയ പ്രസംഗം
India's first microbiological nanosat, developed by students, to find ways to keep astronauts healthy

Media Coverage

India's first microbiological nanosat, developed by students, to find ways to keep astronauts healthy
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി മോദിയും ട്രംപും ഒരു MEGA ഇന്ത്യ-യുഎസ് പങ്കാളിത്തത്തിന് രൂപം നൽകി
February 14, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States was a momentous occasion, reflecting the deepening strategic, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations. Over his stay, PM Modi engaged in a series of high-profile meetings and discussions with U.S. leaders, business tycoons, and the Indian diaspora, covering critical areas such as defense, trade, investment, technology, and diplomacy. The visit reaffirmed the strong relationship between India and the U.S., positioning both nations as global partners in shaping a new world order.

President Trump coined the term “Make America Great Again” or MAGA and PM Modi said that Viksit Bharat means “Make India Great Again,” or MIGA. “MIGA and MAGA together become a MEGA partnership for prosperity,” PM Modi said.

|

Trade discussions were a major component of PM Modi’s visit, as both leaders emphasized the need to bolster economic cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India and the US have agreed to increase their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

“Being a strategic and trusted partner, we are actively moving ahead in terms of joint development, joint production and transfer of technology.” PM Modi said.

The discussions also covered tariff reductions, ensuring smoother market access for American goods in India, and increasing investment in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and green energy.

Additionally, in a landmark decision, Donald Trump approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India. This decision showcases the commitment of both countries to counterterrorism and justice for the victims of one of India's deadliest terrorist attacks.

Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, was accused of providing logistical support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives involved in the attacks. His extradition marks a victory for India’s legal and diplomatic efforts and further cements counterterrorism cooperation between India and the U.S.

Trump also dismissed allegations of the U.S. “deep state” being involved in Bangladesh’s political crisis. He emphasized that the United States had no role in the events leading to the resignation of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Trump further stated that he would defer to PM Modi regarding matters related to Bangladesh, highlighting India’s regional influence and understanding of the situation.

|

Another key engagement during the visit was PM Modi’s meeting with Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his children. The founder of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of social media site X discussed with PM Modi issues he is passionate about such as space, mobility, technology and innovation, the Prime Minister said.

Musk has previously expressed keen interest in expanding Tesla’s presence in the country. With India emerging as a key player in the electric vehicle and space sectors, the meeting is expected to further strengthen ties between Musk’s enterprises and the Indian market.

“I'm a fan of Modi. We are looking to come to India as soon as humanly possible. It was a fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister and I like him quite a lot. He visited our factory a few years ago. So, we have known each other for a while,” Musk said.

This interaction highlights India’s strategic focus on attracting investments in high-tech industries such as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and space technology.

PM Modi’s visit also saw overwhelming support from the Indian diaspora in the U.S., with hundreds gathering outside Blair House, chanting slogans like “Vande Mataram” and “Modi, Modi” to welcome him. People also carried flags of India and the US and posters which said “America welcomes Narendra Modi.”

|

In a gesture reflecting their personal camaraderie, Donald Trump gifted PM Modi a book titled ‘Our Journey Together’, featuring photographs of key events from past India-U.S. engagements. The book included images from major events such as the ‘Howdy Modi’ rally in Houston and the ‘Namaste Trump’ event in Ahmedabad. The book serves as a reminder of the milestones achieved in India-U.S. relations over the years.

|

PM Modi’s discussions with Trump also touched upon important issues such as trade tariffs and immigration policies affecting Indian professionals in the U.S. Given the substantial number of Indian IT professionals and students in the U.S., visa and immigration policies remain a key area of concern.

A key highlight of the visit was the announcement by the U.S. President Donald Trump that the United States would significantly boost military sales to India. “Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters.” Trump stated.

This announcement is significant for India’s defense modernization plans, aligning with New Delhi’s goal of enhancing its military capabilities amid growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. The strengthening defense partnership also underscores India’s emergence as a critical ally for the U.S. in countering China’s growing influence in the region.

Both leaders explored ways to facilitate smoother visa processes for Indian students and skilled professionals, ensuring a mutually beneficial arrangement for both nations. PM Modi also reiterated India’s commitment to fostering an open and fair trade environment.

Donald Trump Praises PM Modi, Calls Him A ‘Great Leader’ And ‘Tougher Negotiator.’ He further emphasized the shared values and vision that bind the two nations together.

PM Modi, in return, acknowledged the robust foundation of India-U.S. relations and expressed optimism about the growing collaboration across various sectors.

PM Narendra Modi’s U.S. visit strengthened bilateral ties across defense, trade, technology, and counterterrorism. It highlighted his global leadership, earning praise from U.S. leaders and business figures. His engagement with the diaspora, economic negotiations, and strategic diplomacy underscored India’s growing influence. As both nations navigate geopolitical and economic shifts, this visit will shape the future of India-U.S. relations, driving shared goals in growth, technology, and security.