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At the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi on October 13, 2026, Narendra Modi argued that technology, data, knowledge and innovation should create opportunities for many people rather than concentrate benefits among a few. The reports available on the address do not establish that he cited UPI or startups, so those claims should not be attached to this speech.

What Modi said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum

Modi’s central point, as reported by NDTV, was that the important question is how society uses the power created by technology and knowledge. NDTV quoted him as asking: “The right question is: how is this power being utilised? Will technology only be beneficial for a few people or will create opportunities for crores of people? Will knowledge remain the strength of a few people, or empower everyone?” The quotation is reported by NDTV; an official transcript of this forum address was not available in the sources reviewed. NDTV’s account.

The idea behind “power to empower” is a shift in what technological progress is for: not simply gaining control or securing an individual advantage, but enabling others to participate and succeed. In this framing, technology, data, knowledge and innovation are sources of power; the test is whether their benefits spread beyond a small group. The remarks present that as a question of how those resources are used, rather than treating technological progress alone as proof that opportunity is being shared.

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The Times of India also reported Modi contrasting control with enablement, competition with collaboration, and personal success with helping others succeed. The Economic Times/PTI reported a related line: “Beyond the power to control lies the power to enable. Beyond the power to succeed lies the power to help others succeed.” These are reported quotations, not wording checked against an official transcript. Together, the contrasts describe a move from treating success as an individual outcome to seeing it as something that can also expand other people’s opportunities. The Times of India’s report.

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Did he cite UPI or startups?

The reports of the October 13 forum address reviewed here do not mention UPI or startups. That does not establish that the subjects were absent from the full speech; it means the reporting reviewed does not support saying that Modi cited them. The title’s UPI and startup references therefore need confirmation from a full event transcript or recording before they can be presented as part of these remarks.

The Economic Times/PTI account reports that Modi cited “more than 500 million YouTube users” in India. This is a figure attributed to him in secondary coverage, not independently verified here. It should be described as a figure reported from the speech, not as an independently established statistic—and it is not evidence of a claim about UPI adoption or startup activity. The Economic Times/PTI report.

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UPI does appear in a separate speech by Modi at the AI Impact Summit on February 19, 2026. In that address, he said UPI helped people continue online transactions during the COVID-19 pandemic and played a role in bridging India’s digital divide. He also described technology as “not a tool of power, but a medium of service—not to overpower, but to empower.” These are remarks from the February summit, not the October Bloomberg forum. They offer separate context for his public comments on technology, but cannot verify what he said at the later event. Official transcript of the February AI Impact Summit address.

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Why the distinction matters

The forum reports support a broad argument about distributing the benefits of technology; they do not substantiate every example that might fit that argument. A separate UPI statement, even one that echoes the idea of empowerment, is not evidence that UPI was mentioned at this forum. Likewise, the reports reviewed do not support attributing a startup example to the October address.

Keeping the events and evidence distinct also clarifies what is known and what remains uncertain. The October remarks and their central contrasts are reported by news outlets, while the February UPI remarks are available in an official transcript. Until a recording or transcript of the Bloomberg forum address confirms more, the careful account is to report the forum’s opportunity-focused message and label the YouTube figure and quotations according to their secondary sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “power to empower” mean in Modi’s reported remarks?

It describes using technology, data, knowledge and innovation to widen opportunities and help others participate and succeed, rather than concentrating benefits or power among a few.

Did Modi mention UPI or startups at the October 13 Bloomberg forum?

The forum reports reviewed do not mention either. A full event transcript or recording would be needed to confirm whether he did; the available reports do not support attributing those references to this speech.

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Where did Modi discuss UPI helping bridge the digital divide?

In a separate AI Impact Summit address on February 19, 2026. The official transcript says UPI helped sustain online transactions during the COVID-19 pandemic and played a role in bridging India’s digital divide.

What was the reported YouTube figure?

The Economic Times/PTI reported that Modi cited more than 500 million YouTube users in India. It is a speech-reported figure in secondary coverage, not independently verified in the sources reviewed.

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The Bottom Line

Modi’s reported Bloomberg forum message was that technology should widen opportunity, with enablement, cooperation and helping others succeed as guiding contrasts. The reports reviewed do not confirm UPI or startup references; UPI’s digital-inclusion role belongs to a separate February 2026 speech.

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