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PM addresses India Today Conclave

Published By : Admin | March 18, 2023 | 20:00 IST
“This is India's moment”
“The time period that is before India in this decade of 21st century is unprecedented”
“Achievements of the first 75 days of 2023 is a reflection of the India Moment”
“The world has an unprecedented fascination for Indian culture and soft power”
“If the country has to move forward, it should always have dynamism and the power to make bold decisions”
“Today, the countrymen have developed the belief that the government cares for them”
“We have given a human touch to governance”
“Whatever India is achieving today, it is due to the power of our democracy, the power of our institutions”
“We must strengthen the India Moment with ‘Sabka Prayas’ and empower the journey of a developed India in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the India Today Conclave at Hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi today.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed delight at the theme chosen for the conclave - ‘The India Moment’ and remarked that the world’s best economists, analysts and thinkers echo the voice that it is indeed India’s moment. He also added that the India Today Group showing the same optimism makes it even more special. Recalling his address from the Red Fort 20 months ago where the Prime Minister had said “This is the time and it is the right time”, the Prime Minister underlined that this is India’s moment.

Reflecting on the various challenges and stages that come in the way of the development journey of any nation, the Prime Minister said that the time period in this decade of the 21st century holds special importance for India. Highlighting the difference in circumstances that came in the way of nations that became developed several decades ago, the Prime Minister noted that the reason for their success was they were competing with themselves in a world that lacked global competition. He pointed out that today the circumstances faced by India are completely different where the global challenges are comprehensive in nature and come in many forms. He highlighted that the ‘India Moment’ being discussed around the world today is not ordinary, especially when the largest pandemic in a hundred years hit the world along with the ongoing war between two nations. “A new history is being scripted and we are all witnessing it together”, the Prime Minister remarked. He said that the world is showing its trust in India. Listing out India’s achievements on a global level, the Prime Minister said that India is the world’s fastest-growing economy, ranks one in smartphone data consumption in the world, ranks one in global fintech adoption rate, is the second largest mobile manufacturer in the world, and houses the third largest startup ecosystem in the world among various other things.

Throwing light on the nation’s achievements in the first 75 days of the year 2023, the Prime Minister informed that India’s historic green budget was launched, a new airport in Shivamoga, Karnataka was inaugurated, the next phase of Mumbai Metro was launched, the world’s longest river cruise completed its journey, the Bangalore-Mysore Expressway was inaugurated, a section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway was inaugurated, Vande Bharat trains from Mumbai to Vishakapatnam were flagged off, IIT Darward Campus was inaugurated and the country dedicated 21 islets of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the 21 Paramvir Chakra Awardees. He further added that India launched E-20 fuel after achieving 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol, inaugurated Asia’s most advanced Helicopter manufacturing facility in Tumkuru and Air India placed the highest aviation order of all time. In the last 75 days, the Prime Minister informed that the milestone of 10 crore teleconsultations was achieved through the e-Sanjeevani app in India, 8 crore new tap water connections were provided, 100 percent electrification of rail networks was achieved, a new batch of 12 cheetahs have arrived at Kuno National Park, India’s Women Under-19 team won the U19 T20 World Cup, and the country felt the joy of winning two Oscars. He also informed that in the last 75 days, 28 crucial G20 Meetings, the Energy Summit and the Global Millets Conference took place, and more than a hundred countries took part in the Aero India Summit in Bengaluru. He also informed that UPI linkage was created with Singapore, India initiated ‘Operation Dost’ to help Turkey, and the Indo-Bangladesh gas pipeline was inaugurated earlier in the evening. “All this is a reflection of the India Moment”, the Prime Minister remarked.

The Prime Minister underlined that today, on one hand, India is building physical infrastructure like roads, railways, ports, and airports while on the other hand, there is an unprecedented attraction for Indian culture and soft power in the world. “Today yoga has become popular all over the world. Today there is enthusiasm for Ayurveda and there is enthusiasm about the food and drinks of India”, the Prime Minister said. He noted that Indian films and music are attracting people’s attention with their new energy. The Prime Minister also noted that India’s millets - Shree Anna is also reaching the entire world. The Prime Minister highlighted that India's ideas and potential towards ‘Global Good’ is being recognized by the world, be it the International Solar Alliance or the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. “That's why today the world is saying - This is India's Moment”, the Prime Minister remarked. He said that all of these have a multiplier effect and informed that most of the countries are themselves returning India’s ancient idols.

“The most special thing about the India Moment is that promise is coupled with performance”, the Prime Minister said. Comparing the headlines that made the news, the Prime Minister pointed out that the headlines of yesteryear usually unearthed scams worth lakhs of crores in various sectors and the public being out on the street in protest, but the headlines of today, the Prime Minister interjected, comprise of the corrupt taking to the streets due to action in cases of corruption. On a lighter note, the Prime Minister pointed out that the media has gained a lot of TRP by covering scams in the past and also suggested that they now have the opportunity to cover the news of action against the corrupt and increase their TRP.

The Prime Minister recalled that earlier there used to be headlines of bomb blasts in cities and Naxalite incidents whereas today there is news of peace and prosperity. He also recalled that earlier there used to be news about big infrastructure projects being stopped in the name of the environment, whereas today there is positive news related to the environment along with the construction of new highways and expressways. He further added that news of tragic train accidents that were common earlier has now reduced due to the introduction of modern trains making headlines. He also touched upon the talks of Air India scams and poverty whereas today the news of the world's biggest aircraft deal makes headlines. “India Moment has brought this change of promise and performance”, the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister pointed out that there are pessimistic talks of humiliating India and breaking India's morale when the country is full of self-confidence and determination, and foreign countries are also hopeful about India.

Highlighting that India has seen long periods of poverty due to the slavery era, the Prime Minister said, “The poor of India wants to get out of poverty as soon as possible. He wants his life to change along with the lives of his future generations.” The Prime Minister noted that the results of the efforts of all the governments were based on their ability and understanding. He underlined that the present government wanted new results, and hence increased the speed and scale. He gave examples of building more than 11 crore toilets at a record pace, 48 crore people being added to the banking system, and the money for pucca houses being sent directly to the bank account of those beneficiaries. He further added that the whole process of building a house is continuously monitored, and the house is also geo-tagged. The Prime Minister informed that more than 3 crore houses were built and handed to the poor in the last 9 years. He highlighted that women also have ownership rights in these houses and said that India’s Moment is bound to come when poor women feel empowered.

Reflecting on the challenges of property rights in the whole world, the Prime Minister cited a World Bank report that said that only 30 percent of the world's population has legally registered title to their property. He reiterated that lack of property rights is considered a major obstacle in front of global development and highlighted India's PM-Swamitva Yojana launched two and a half years ago where land mapping is being done with the help of drone technology. He informed that so far, a drone survey has been completed in two lakh thirty-four thousand villages in India and one crore twenty-two lakh property cards have also been handed out. “Many such silent revolutions are taking place in India today and these are becoming the basis of the India Moment”, the Prime Minister said. He also informed that about two and a half lakh crore rupees have been sent directly to the bank accounts of the farmers from the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi benefitting 11 crore small farmers of India.

“Stagnation in policy decisions and status quo is a big obstacle in the progress of any country”, the Prime Minister said. He lamented the long stagnation in India due to outdated thinking and approach and the limitations of certain families and said that if the country has to move forward, it should always have dynamism and bold decision-making power. If the country has to progress, the Prime Minister said, then it should have the ability to accept newness and have an experimental mindset, it should have faith in the abilities and talents of its countrymen, and above all, there should be the blessings and participation of the people in achieving the goals. He noted that finding solutions to problems only through government and power gives very limited results, but when the strength of 130 crore countrymen is mobilized, when everyone's effort is put in, then no problem can stand in front of the country. He emphasized the importance of trust of the people of the country in its government and expressed satisfaction that today the citizens have developed the belief that the government cares for them. “There is a human touch and sensitivity in good governance. We have given human touch to governance, and only then one can witness such a big impact. He gave the example of the Vibrant Village Scheme that instils the confidence of being the first village of the country and gives priority to development in the region. He also noted that Central Government ministers regularly visit North East and have linked governance with a human touch. The Prime Minister informed that he has visited the northeast 50 times. He further added that this sensitivity has not only reduced the distance to the North East but has also helped a lot in establishing peace there.

Highlighting the working culture of the government during the Ukraine crisis, the Prime Minister underlined that the government connected with about 14 thousand families, and sent a representative of the government to each house. “We assured them in difficult times that the government is with them”, he said, “India Moment gets energy from such governance full of human sensibilities.” He also underlined that the nation would not have won such a huge battle against Corona if this human touch was missing from governance.

“Whatever India is achieving today, it is due to the power of our democracy, the power of our institutions”, Shri Modi remarked. He said that the world is witnessing the democratically elected government of India take decisive decisions. He informed that India has created many new institutions in the past years and gave the example of the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. He also touched upon NITI Aayog playing a big role in deciding the future roadmap, the National Company Law Tribunal playing an important role in strengthening corporate governance in the country, and the role of the GST Council in creating a modern tax system in India. He also noted that many elections were successfully held in the country amid Corona. “In the midst of the global crisis, today India's economy is strong, the banking system is strong. This is the strength of our institutions”, he said. He informed that the government has given 220 crore doses of corona vaccine so far. “I think our democracy and our democratic institutions are being attacked the most because of this. But I am sure, even in the midst of these attacks, India will move fast towards its goals, and will achieve its goals”, he added.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to expand the role of Indian Media globally and said, “We have to strengthen India Moment with ‘Sabka Prayas’ and empower the journey of a developed India in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.”

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India-Italy Joint Declaration
May 20, 2026

At the invitation of the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, paid an official visit to Italy on 19-20 May 2026. The visit, following Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Italy in June 2024 for the G7 Summit and Prime Minister Meloni’s visit to India for the G20 Summit in 2023, provided renewed momentum to the bilateral ties. The two leaders decided to elevate India-Italy relations to the level of a Special Strategic Partnership.

Political Dialogue

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the strong momentum of high-level exchanges and agreed to hold annual meetings of leaders including on the sidelines of multilateral events, as well as regular Ministerial and institutional-level meetings.

They appreciated the concrete progress achieved across the diverse pillars of the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 adopted by the two leaders in their meeting during the G20 Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024. They agreed to establish Foreign Ministers-led mechanism to review the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 and provide strategic guidance to India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership.

Economic Cooperation and Investments

Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing dynamism of bilateral economic and industrial cooperation, with three high level business fora held since the last year. Building on the opportunities arising from India’s rapid and consistent economic growth and the successful conclusion of the negotiations for the EU–India Free Trade Agreement, they reaffirmed the shared objective of expanding bilateral trade in both direction with aim to reach to € 20 billion by 2029.

They welcomed the increase of bilateral investments in key sectors and encouraged the respective industries to forge industrial and technology partnerships in order to build resilient supply chains. They welcomed the prospect of greater investments, particularly in textiles, clean technologies, semiconductors, automotive, energy, tourism, pharmaceuticals and medical technologies, digital technologies, critical raw materials, steel, ports and infrastructure. They encouraged industries to utilize the policy incentives and schemes in place in both countries which seek to enhance business linkages and production facilities.

Both Prime Ministers agreed to encourage dialogue and cooperation among stock exchanges, investment funds, venture capital, banks, insurance companies and financial institutions.

They agreed to facilitate industrial partnerships, including between SMEs, to foster deeper integration of supply chains. They encouraged new sectoral missions in the coming months in priority areas of mutual interest.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in Critical Minerals. They agreed to further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation in field of critical minerals by establishing a structured framework for collaboration, with particular emphasis on sustainability and resilient supply chains. They underscored the importance of promoting joint efforts in recovery of critical minerals from unconventional sources, including electronic waste and mine tailings, as an integral component of circular economy initiatives. They also expressed satisfaction on signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of agriculture and agricultural research between respective ministries and institutions.

Connectivity

The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), recognising its transformational potential in reshaping and promoting global trade, connectivity and prosperity. Appreciating the preliminary discussions around the project, they encouraged the first IMEC Ministerial meeting to take concrete steps for advancing this initiative in 2026.

They welcomed the signing of an MoU on maritime transport and ports and directed their respective ministries/departments to establish a joint working group to implement the MoU at the earliest.

Science, Technology, Innovation, Start-ups and Artificial Intelligence

The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed that innovation, science and technology are core drivers of the India-Italy partnership.

They announced the creation of INNOVIT India, an innovation hub located in India aimed at strengthening cooperation between the respective innovation ecosystems, support startup acceleration programs, market access and business matching, joint research, university collaboration, and talent mobility in sectors including fintech, healthcare, semiconductors, logistics and supply chains, agritech, energy, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. Both leaders welcomed the inaugural Science and Innovation Dialogue between Indian and Italian universities and research centres held in Delhi in April 2025 and look forward to holding its next edition in Italy later this year.

Both leaders underlined the importance of an open, free, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful ICT environment, which is an enabler for innovation and economic growth. PM Modi thanked PM Meloni for Italy’s constructive participation in the AI Impact Summit that took place on 19th February 2026 in New Delhi. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a human-centric, secure, trustworthy and robust Artificial Intelligence. They agreed to collaborate in this domain including in third countries.

The two Prime Ministers placed particular emphasis on opportunities for cooperation in the field of supercomputing.

Building on the 2025–2027 Executive Program for Scientific Cooperation, they supported the implementation of joint projects and the facilitation of mobility of researchers in area of quantum technologies, renewable energy, green hydrogen and sustainable blue economy. They also welcomed the ongoing implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of scientific research and the launching of a joint call for proposals to fund research projects.

The two Prime Ministers acknowledged the longstanding scientific collaboration between the Indian Academia and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste and welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Indian Department of Science and Technology and the Elettra Sincrotrone center in Trieste, Italy in support of activities related to the access of synchrotron radiation facility at Elettra for Indian researchers.

Space

While appreciating the ongoing collaboration between Italian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation, the two leaders agreed to strengthen the partnership on Earth observation, heliophysics and space exploration, with focused thematic engagement and to explore cooperation on access to space and protection of space infrastructures. They expressed satisfaction with the recent reciprocal visits of their respective space industry delegations and looked forward to further promote commercial collaboration through exchanges of experts and joint initiatives also in third countries.

Defence

Both Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction with the deepening of defence cooperation including through Ministerial exchanges, service-to-service ties, port visits, and welcomed the adoption of a Joint Declaration of Intent and a Defence Industrial Roadmap which will promote partnerships for technological cooperation, co-production and co-development projects, including helicopters, naval platforms, marine armament and electronic warfare. They also recognized the importance of protecting critical infrastructures and their related supply chains through the strengthening of industrial resilience.

The two sides agreed to examine the feasibility of establishing an annual high level military structured dialogue, complementing the work of the Joint Defence Committee and the Military Cooperation Group, and to promote joint exercises and inter-force courses.

Both leaders agreed to launch a Dialogue on Maritime Security, with the aim of increasing maritime security cooperation, coordination, and the exchange of information and best practices in the maritime domain.

Security

The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross border terrorism. The two leaders strongly condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and reiterated their commitment to cooperate in the fight against terrorists and terrorist groups and their affiliates including those listed in the UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions regime. They called upon all countries to continue to work towards eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and combating the financing of terrorism, consistent with the Financial Action Task Force’s guidelines. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to work together at the UN, FATF and other multilateral platforms.

Both leaders welcomed the first meeting of the Permanent Task Force between India and Italy on countering the financing of terrorism and the upcoming meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.

Both leaders welcomed the conclusion of an MoU between the Italian Guardia di Finanza and the Directorate of Enforcement of India and looked forward to early conclusion of the Agreement on Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information and the Agreement on strengthening of Police Cooperation. They also welcomed the ongoing discussions on other agreements including Extradition Treaty and Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

Migration and Mobility

The two leaders agreed to enhance mobility of students, researchers and skilled workers, particularly in STEM sectors, and to expand cooperation on skills development, in line with the needs of the labour market, including through a specific Joint Declaration of Intent on the facilitation of mobility of nurses from India to Italy. In this context, they welcomed the ongoing discussions between relevant agencies on Social Security Agreement (SSA).

They welcomed the launch of "ICI - Italy Calls India: a University-Enterprise talent bridge” aimed at enhancing the talent of Indian students enrolled in Italian universities by offering concrete pathways for guidance, matching, and qualified integration into Italian enterprises.

They also discussed the possibility of strengthening the cooperation to fight against irregular migration, labour exploitation and human trafficking to ensure safe and legal migration.

Culture and Educational Exchanges

The two leaders highlighted culture as a key pillar of bilateral dialogue and welcomed the signing of an MoU regarding Italy’s participation in the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal. They acknowledged the Indian National Pavilion at the Venice Art Biennale in 2026. They expressed their intention to celebrate 2027 as the "Year of Culture and Tourism between Italy and India”, which will feature a broad calendar of initiatives, and pave the way to a major exhibition on ancient cultural relations between Italy and India to be co-organized by the two Ministries of Culture.

The two leaders encouraged the organization of an Italy–India Cultural Forum, bringing together institutions, experts, and representatives of the creative industries. The two leaders appreciated the launching of the twinning program between Indian and Italian sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, aimed at strengthening cooperation in the protection, enhancement and management of cultural heritage.

The two leaders agreed to further develop the film and audio-visual cooperation between the two Nations, building on the strength and innovative capacities of their industries and on the legal framework provided by the bilateral co-production agreement.

The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their intention to strengthening cooperation in higher education and welcomed the adoption of the Indo-Italian Roadmap on Higher Education and Research. Prime Minister Modi invited Italian universities and institutions of excellence to open campuses in India under India’s New Education Policy.

India-EU Relations

The Leaders welcomed the new Joint India–EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda agreed at the India–EU Summit on 27 January 2026 and the conclusion of negotiations of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement which would elevate ties to a new level by enhancing market access, reducing trade barriers, and strengthening economic security and resilience through diversified value chains and new market opportunities.

They also reaffirmed their support for strengthening the India–EU Trade and Technology Council as a key platform for cooperation in trade, critical technologies, and economic security. The leaders welcomed the India–EU Security and Defence Partnership and appreciated progress in mobility cooperation, including the MoU on a Comprehensive Framework for Mobility.

Multilateral Cooperation

Both Leaders stressed the urgent need to reform the United Nations to make it more representative and suited to present-day realities.

Both Leaders emphasized the importance of working together in the United Nations and other global platforms including G20 to protect multilateralism and uphold a rules-based international order.

Recognizing the strategic priority both countries attach to Africa, the two Prime Ministers agreed to work together in trilateral initiatives with African partners in areas such as Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), agriculture, education, healthcare, artificial intelligence, connectivity and infrastructure and renewable energy in line with India’s development partnership in Africa and Italy’s Mattei Plan.

The Leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, in line with international law, including UNCLOS. They look forward to their continued partnership in Science and Technology and Academic cooperation pillar of Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiatives.

Both leaders expressed deep concern over the situation in the West Asia/the Middle East and its effects in the region as well as the rest of the world. The leaders welcomed the ceasefire announced on 8 April 2026 and underlined the importance of de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy for a lasting peace in the West Asia/the Middle East. They also called for freedom of navigation and the resumption of global flows through Strait of Hormuz.

Both leaders expressed concern over the ongoing war in Ukraine, which continues to cause immense human suffering and negative global consequences. They agreed to continue to support efforts towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

Conclusion

Noting the impressive growth and deepening of India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further expand cooperation across all sectors and continue close high-level consultations on key global and regional developments.

Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Meloni for the warm hospitality extended by the Government and the people of the Italian Republic and invited Prime Minister Meloni to visit India at a mutually convenient time.