NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed India's achievement in the field of science and technology, saying the country is moving forward with a new mindset and newfound self-confidence.While addressing the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovative Conclave 2026, the Prime Minister said that country's goal is to create new technology and shape its direction — for India, for the world, for today, and for tomorrow."We reached Mars on our very first attempt. We reached the South Pole of the Moon. India must embrace the technologies of the future, innovate boldly, and lead the world in creating them. This transformation can be better understood through a few examples from the past year. Building a 'Viksit Bharat' will require a vast amount of nuclear energy," PM Modi said."India is moving toward developing secure solutions that can reach people on a massive scale. There has long been a persistent challenge in the world of science and technology— the tendency for it to be viewed as a potential weapon. India’s perspective is that science and technology are a means to serve humanity," he added.
During his address, PM Modi also highlighted that the country needs to attain self-reliance and build strength in critical technology"We reached Mars on our very first attempt. We reached the South Pole of the Moon... India must embrace the technologies of the future, innovate boldly, and lead the world in creating them.... This transformation can be better understood through a few examples from the past year. Building a 'Viksit Bharat' will require a vast amount of nuclear energy. Our dependence on imports for nuclear fuel poses a challenge to our energy security. That is why India is working rapidly on its Fast Breeder Reactor technology. Just a few months ago, the country’s 500-megawatt prototype Fast Breeder Reactor reached its first criticality," PM Modi said."Whether it concerns energy security or self-reliance in technology, India’s goal is not merely to meet its own needs; our objective is also to expand our capabilities in critical technologies. This year, India has also achieved new milestones in the space sector. Indian space startups successfully placed satellites into orbit on their very first attempt, using Made in India rockets. India has also acquired the capability for satellite docking.
Today, many Indian startups are bringing forth innovative solutions in the field of space science," he added.This comes as PM Modi innaugurated the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.The three-day Conclave scheduled from 27 to 29 October will bring together leading scientists, researchers, academicians, policymakers, industry leaders, startups and international experts to deliberate on emerging technologies and India's science, technology and innovation priorities.Deliberations will span 12 thematic areas, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced materials, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, climate and ocean sciences.
Rohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.