NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the NDTV World Summit 2026 here in New Delhi. Greeting the international delegates amidst the joyous festive season in the country, the Prime Minister welcomed the participants to the summit. He commended the gathering for deliberating on serious global matters.
Highlighting the timely relevance of the NDTV summit’s deliberations, the Prime Minister noted that discussions regarding a new world order have become ubiquitous because global shifts now directly impact the daily lives of ordinary citizens. He emphasized that these real-world repercussions elevate the necessity of such international forums.”In such a scenario, the importance of such world summits increases even more,” observed PM Modi.
Framing the central debate around ‘The World Between Orders’, the Prime Minister stated that the global community must fundamentally examine why the existing order is shifting and why legacy systems are failing to resolve contemporary crises. He added that answering these questions naturally leads to examining the nation’s specific responsibilities on the world stage.“And second, what is India’s role in this changing world?” noted Shri Modi.
Tracing the organic evolution of international relations since the Second World War, the Prime Minister recalled how the United Nations was founded on the realization that dialogue and cooperation must supersede raw power, yet Global Institutions failed to adapt as new economies, technologies, and nations outside the original decision-making table rose to prominence. Pointing out that erstwhile connectors like trade, technology, and sea routes have now morphed into arenas of weaponization, conflict, and geopolitical tension, he stressed that the modern imperative is to build an inclusive order that bridges the gap between institutional decision-making and current realities.”And right from here, the question of India’s role comes to the fore,” asserted PM Modi.
Recalling the deep global divisions, mutual suspicion, and trust deficit during the COVID-19 pandemic when champions of globalization prioritized self-interest, the Prime Minister reminded the audience of his 2020 appeal from the G20 platform to build a new world order focused on the collective well-being of humankind and centered around humanity. He also reiterated his message from the UNGA platform that same year regarding the urgent necessity of institutional evolution. “If the century changes and we do not change, then our capacity to bring change also weakens,” asserted Shri Modi.
Questioning the exact architecture of the emerging global framework, the Prime Minister emphasized the urgent need to reform multilateral institutions and accord due space to the voice of the Global South. He insisted that international cooperation must extend beyond favorable periods to remain resilient during severe crises.“For this, having an effective consensus among all stakeholders is essential,” affirmed PM Modi.
Operating on the foundational mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, the Prime Minister highlighted how the nation has cemented its role as a Vishwa-Bandhu. He noted that despite widespread skepticism regarding the possibility of reaching consensus during India’s hosting of the G20 and BRICS Summits, the country successfully built bridges across antagonistic divides to deliver unanimous Delhi Declarations both times.”This is the trust in India’s role as a Vishwa-Bandhu,” affirmed PM Modi.
Linking the nation’s growing strength directly to global welfare, the Prime Minister explained that because domestic policies are anchored in timeless civilizational values rather than fleeting impulses, a stronger India guarantees global stability and continuity. Recalling his recent ‘Power to Empower’ vision, he emphasized that a self-reliant, economically robust, and skilled Viksit Bharat naturally fortifies global supply chains, drives productivity, and inspires worldwide prosperity.“Meaning, India today is increasing its capability so that the capability of the world can also increase,” asserted Shri Modi.
Reiterating the nation’s relentless drive to become a top-three global economy, the Prime Minister noted that emerging as the fastest-growing major economy amidst severe international headwinds further boosts national morale. He proudly listed the country’s premier global standing across green energy, Artificial Intelligence, startups, and the digital economy.”India is number one in real-time digital payments,” noted PM Modi.
Spotlighting a series of historic technological and environmental milestones achieved for the very first time, the Prime Minister highlighted the Fast Breeder Reactor achieving criticality, the integration of digital technology into the national Census, and the inaugural run of a hydrogen train. He also pointed to the monumental leap in the nation’s clean energy transition.”For the first time, India crossed the figure of 300 gigawatts in Non-fossil Electricity Capacity,” observed Shri Modi.
Characterizing these diverse breakthroughs as the hallmark of a transforming nation, the Prime Minister stated that the country is simultaneously fortifying its traditional strengths while emerging as a formidable force in entirely new domains. He emphasized that these sweeping achievements are not isolated occurrences, but the direct outcome of a deliberate governance framework.“All this is the result of the policy of Reform, Perform, and Transform,” asserted PM Modi.
The Prime Minister highlighted the transformative power of collective national willpower. He remarked that when a determined nation marches forward, its foundational infrastructure becomes a symbol of resilience rather than vulnerability.”Rather, that very power grid elevates the progress and self-confidence of the country,” observed Shri Modi.
“Ease of Living is improving in the country and new opportunities for employment are also being created,” affirmed PM Modi.
Reflecting on the nation’s evolution from being merely the ‘World’s Back Office’ and a basic service provider, the Prime Minister stated that the country is now actively innovating, designing, and building original technologies for the globe. He pointed out that the nation ranks third globally in research publications and witnessed nearly 1.5 lakh patent filings in 2025 alone.“Regarding research and innovation, this is a glimpse of the possibilities in India,” noted Shri Modi.
Spotlighting the domestic semiconductor ecosystem, the Prime Minister observed that 20 percent of the global chip-design workforce resides in the country, with Indian engineers actively designing cutting-edge 2-to-3 nanometer chips. He added that comprehensive facilities are being provided to expand this talent pool across academic institutions.“Our students have prepared more than three hundred and twenty-five Chip Designs so far,” noted PM Modi.
Pointing out that India hosts over half of the world’s Global Capability Centres, the Prime Minister explained that these hubs have pivoted from basic support services to advanced AI, cloud computing, engineering, analytics, and product development. He declared that as the world shifts its trust from Indian manpower to Indian mind-power, the nation has transitioned from ‘Talent at Scale’ to ‘Thinking at Scale’.“We are now working with the world not just as a Back Office, but also as a Brain Office,” asserted Shri Modi.
Expanding on pharmaceutical self-reliance beyond Penicillin G, the Prime Minister stated that the government is constructing a complete domestic supply chain for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) through the PLI framework. He noted that this targeted policy intervention has already attracted over 5,000 crore rupees in investments across nearly 40 operational projects.”affirmed Shri Modi.
Concluding his address by focusing on the grand goal of a Viksit Bharat powered by the limitless aspirations of 140 crore citizens and the resonant spirit of ‘We Will Do It’, the Prime Minister pledged to innovate, forge new paths, turn challenges into opportunities, and link India’s success with global prosperity. He expressed full confidence that the insights generated at the summit would energize national resolutions, offering his final best wishes to all participants.”We will dream big, we will turn every challenge into an opportunity, and we will take every resolution to fulfillment,” affirmed PM Modi.
