Innovate Boldly: PM Modi Urges India to Lead Global Emerging Technologies
PM Modi urges India to lead the world in emerging technologies, moving from adopting global solutions to creating them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon the nation to embrace emerging technologies with courage and ambition, asserting that India must transition from being a consumer of global innovations to a world leader in creating them. Speaking at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2026 in Delhi, the Prime Minister emphasized that the country is now equipped with the confidence to define the future of global technological solutions.
From 'Catching Up' to Leading the Way
Reflecting on India's scientific journey, PM Modi noted a fundamental shift in the national mindset. He recalled a time when technological progress for India was primarily about playing catch-up with more advanced nations.
"Decades ago, there was a time when science and technology for India simply meant 'catch up'," the Prime Minister stated. He explained that in the past, innovations developed elsewhere would reach India years later, where they were either adopted as-is or given minor improvements.
However, he declared that 21st-century India has moved past this phase. The current goal is no longer just to adapt, but to innovate boldly and build the capabilities necessary to solve challenges on a global scale.
The Power of Youth and Innovation
The Prime Minister highlighted the inspiring energy of India's young innovators. After interacting with various startup representatives prior to the event, he noted that the scale of their thinking and their sheer confidence signal a transformative change in how India approaches science and technology.
He urged the youth and the scientific community to not merely adopt new tools but to lead the world in their creation, ensuring that India defines the direction of future technological advancements.
Proven Success: Space and Healthcare
To illustrate India's growing self-confidence and capability, PM Modi pointed to landmark achievements in space exploration and public health:
- Space Milestones: He cited the success of the Mars mission, achieved on the very first attempt, and the historic feat of reaching the Moon's south polar region—a territory where no other nation had previously ventured.
- Pandemic Response: The Prime Minister referenced the COVID-19 era as a prime example of India's self-reliance. While many nations struggled with vaccine availability, India developed its own indigenous vaccine, executed a massive domestic vaccination drive, and supplied vaccines to other countries.
PM Modi concluded that these achievements are a testament to the renewed self-confidence of modern India, positioning the country as a pivotal player in solving the world's most pressing problems through science and innovation.