Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India has stepped out of its comfort zone, embracing innovation and creating new pathways for progress, which have become hallmarks of its identity.

Addressing the Indian diaspora in the Nigerian capital Abuja, Mr Modi said that India has embarked on a new journey, and the goal is – to build a ‘Viksit Bharat’. Highlighting the achievements of his government, Prime Minister said that India has more than 1.5 lakh registered Startups.

He said, in the last decade, more than 100 Unicorns have been built which is proof of the success of India’s startup culture. Mr Modi said India has added 2 trillion US Dollars to its GDP in the last decade. He said the world is praising India for its progress in the Space industry. Prime Minister said, India has decided that soon Indians will be sent to space through our own Gaganyaan.

He said India is also going to build its space station in the space. Prime Minister said that India’s defence exports have increased almost 30 times. Mr Modi praised the Indian community in Nigeria and said that many Indian companies are strengthening the African country’s economy.

The Prime Minister said that India has emerged as a new hope for the world, embodying growth, peace, prosperity, and democracy. He said that whenever a challenge arises anywhere in the world, India rises as the first responder to extend its support, acting as a Vishwa Bandhu, or a global friend.

Mr Modi said during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, when countries around the world were in desperate need of vaccines, India took the initiative to provide vaccines to as many nations as possible. He said, in the past years, India has made every possible effort to raise the voice of Africa on global platforms.

Mr Modi also thanked Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for conferring him the National Award, saying he accepted the honour with great humility. He added that this is an honour which is not only for him but also for all Indians.