Extending democratic spirit to technology has made India digitally inclusive: Modi

MUMBAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India has made the democratic spirit a pillar of governance and extended it to technology, making the country one of the most digitally inclusive societies.Addressing the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai on Thursday jointly with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Modi said that the India Stack has become a beacon for the Global South, reflecting the nation’s belief that technology ensures equality and empowerment, not just convenience. “India’s fintech innovations,” he said, “are gaining global relevance, while its AI strategy rests on equitable access, population-scale skilling, and responsible deployment. India has always supported a global framework for ethical AI.”Describing Mumbai as the “City of Energy, the City of Enterprise, and the City of Endless Possibilities,” he extended a special welcome to Starmer, acknowledging his presence and expressing gratitude for attending the event. Highlighting the UK’s participation as a partner country, Modi said the collaboration between “two major democracies will further strengthen the global financial landscape.”“India is the mother of democracy and democracy in India is not limited to elections or policymaking, but has been established as a strong pillar of governance,” Modi said, citing technology as a prime example of this democratic spirit. He emphasized that “today’s India is among the most technologically inclusive societies in the world,” and noted that the country has democratized digital technology “making it accessible to every citizen and every region of the country.”Modi said that India was not only sharing technology with other countries but also helping them develop it. “This is not digital aid, it is digital empowerment,” said Modi.The Prime Minister underlined how India’s digital initiatives have transformed financial inclusion. “India’s inclusive approach has transformed the banking ecosystem… banking was once a privilege, but digital technology has turned it into a medium of empowerment,” he said, citing the JAM Trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile—as a key driver. UPI alone facilitates “twenty billion transactions every month, with a transaction value exceeding twenty-five lakh crore rupees,” he added.Modi also highlighted India’s digital public infrastructure, including UPI, Aadhaar Enabled Payment System, Bharat Bill Payment System, Bharat-QR, DigiLocker, DigiYatra, GeM, ONDC, and OCEN, calling them the backbone of India’s digital economy. He emphasized that India is fostering open ecosystems, sharing its experience and open-source platforms globally.