Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted India’s efforts in democratising digital technology, making it accessible to every citizen and region of the country. Addressing the Global Fintech Fest at Jio World Centre here, PM Modi said India is among the most technologically inclusive societies globally.
“India is not only sharing technology with other countries but also helping them develop it. This is not digital aid, it is digital empowerment,” he said, adding that technology is not just a tool of convenience but also a means to ensure equality.
He noted, “We have democratised digital technology, making it accessible to every citizen and every region of the country. In the past decade, India has achieved the democratisation of technology. Today’s India is among the most technologically inclusive societies in the world.” The Prime Minister also referred to India Stack as a beacon of hope for nations of the Global South.
PM Modi welcomed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the event, praising Mumbai as a city of enterprise and endless possibilities. Speaking at the India-UK CEO Forum earlier in the day, Modi highlighted the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between India and the UK, describing it not just as a trade pact but as a roadmap for shared progress and prosperity between the two largest economies.
“Today, our bilateral trade is approximately USD 56 billion. We have set a target of doubling it by 2030, and I am confident that we can achieve this target ahead of time,” he said. PM Modi also emphasised that the agreement would strengthen MSMEs in both countries and open new employment opportunities for millions of youth.
Introducing four new dimensions to the CETA framework, he said: “‘C’ stands for Commerce and Economy, ‘E’ for Education and People-to-People Relations, ‘T’ for Technology and Innovation, and ‘A’ for Aspiration. These dimensions will broaden the scope of our trade and economic cooperation.”
CETA, signed in July this year, secures unprecedented duty-free access for 99% of India’s exports to the UK, covering nearly the entire trade basket. It is expected to boost opportunities in labour-intensive sectors like textiles, marine products, leather, footwear, sports goods, toys, and gems and jewellery, as well as in fast-growing industries such as engineering goods, auto components, and organic chemicals.
–ANI