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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called India a “model of diversity” in his addresses to the Indian diaspora as he also announced an agreement to use UPI in France, opening up a huge new market for Indian innovation in instant cashless payments.
In his nearly hour-long speech to the enthusiastic crowd at La Seine Musicale – a performing arts center on an island in the River Seine – Modi outlined India’s rapid development and asserted that as the world moves toward a new order, India’s power and role is also changing very rapidly. He referred to India’s G20 presidency in this context and noted that the world has been affected by the way the country has hosted various events.
Modi announced the opening of a new Indian consulate in Marseille, France and told the jubilant crowd that Indian students with master’s degrees in the European country would now get five-year post-study work visas. Highlighting India’s democratic and pluralistic credentials, he said that it is the mother of democracy and a model of diversity as well.
“This is our very big strength,” he said, noting that there are more than 32,000 newspapers and 900 news channels in the country in more than 100 languages and that Tamil is the oldest language in the world. This diversity is the greatest strength of Indian democracy and Indians achieve their dreams on the basis of this pluralism and help the country. And the world to move on.”
Noting that the Wimbledon Championships had recently described tennis player Roger Federer as a ‘Thalaiva’ (the Tamil word for a leader and chief), the prime minister said the world also enjoyed the diversity of Indian languages. “Who wouldn’t be proud to know that India has become the 10th largest economy in over nine years,” Modi said, emphasizing that the entire world has come to believe that it won’t take long for the country to become a $5 trillion economy.
Pointing out that France celebrates its National Day, in which he was the guest of honour, Modi said that he had visited the country several times, but it was special this time, as he praised its support for India and the strength of relations between the two countries. Two countries celebrate the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership. Modi pointed out that the French Alliance, which promotes French culture, opened its center in Ahmedabad 40 years ago and was its first member.
“My attachment to France is very old, and I can never forget it. About 40 years ago, a Cultural Center for France was set up in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and it was the first member of that center to speak to you today.” who gave their lives on French soil during the First World War and indicated that one of the regiments involved in the battle – the Punjab Regiment – would take part in the Bastille Day parade on Friday.
He also thanked France for that. Describing communication between people as a major basis for the partnership between India and France, he also asked expatriates to invest in India, pointing out that global experts are aware of the country’s attractiveness as an investment destination and that the country is making rapid strides in development.
“Today every rating agency says India is a bright spot. You are investing in India now. This is the right time. Those who invest early will reap the benefits. India has decided that it will not miss any opportunity, not a moment will be missed,” Modi said. , stressing that it is also his determination to dedicate every part of his being and every moment of his life to the people of the country.
Calling India’s ambassadors to the diaspora, he said they should make it important to boost tourism in India and asked them to encourage their French friends to visit the country to feel its diversity and its millennia-old history and traditions. He said that India has become the first country in the world where remittances from expatriates have exceeded 100 billion US dollars.
Modi said that very soon Indian tourists will be able to make rupee payments using UPI from the top of the Eiffel Tower. In France, it has been agreed to use UPI in India. The prime minister said that it will start from the Eiffel Tower in the coming days, and Indian tourists will now be able to make payments in rupees, through UPI, at the Eiffel Tower.
In 2022, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the umbrella organization providing UPI services, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with France’s fast and secure online payment system, called Lyra. In 2023, UPI and Singapore’s PayNow signed an agreement allowing users in either country to conduct cross-border transactions.
UAE, Bhutan and Nepal have already adopted the UPI payment system. NPCI International is in talks to expand UPI’s services in the United States, European countries, and West Asia. To the cheers of Modi, Modi and Bharat Mata ki Jai, Modi also said in a few weeks or months from now a statue of the great Tamil philosopher Thiruvalluvar will be built in Sergi district.
He noted that the countdown to the launch of Chandranyaan had begun in India while emphasizing the progress the country was making in various sectors. India and France face many challenges of the 21st century. Therefore, at this crucial time, the strategic partnership between our two countries has grown even more important.
While talking about the strong ties between India and France, he said that French footballer Kylian Mbappe is probably better known in India as he is considered a “super star” among the youth in India. After his speech, Prime Minister Modi headed to the Elysee Palace in Paris for a private dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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