Modi Warns of New Global Threats at NDTV Summit
The NDTV World Summit 2026 opened with a note of urgency as Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the stage in New Delhi, addressing a congregation of global leaders and thinkers. Modi's keynote speech was anything but perfunctory, as he laid bare the challenges facing a world increasingly divided by its own technological and economic advancements.
In a world where trade no longer serves merely as a conduit for economic prosperity but as a strategic weapon, Modi's words were both a warning and a call to action. "Trade, technology, and sea routes are being weaponised today," he declared, underscoring the need for a recalibrated global approach. With economic sanctions becoming a commonplace tool of diplomacy, the Prime Minister emphasised the urgency for nations to navigate this new terrain with caution and cooperation.
Technology: The New Battlefield
Technology, far from being a neutral force, has become a battleground in its own right. As nations vie for supremacy in artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities, Modi remarked that this new arena could either unite or divide the world. "Technology should be a force for good," he urged, advocating for a more ethical approach to its development and deployment.
Geopolitical Tensions at Sea
Modi also turned his gaze seaward, highlighting the strategic importance of maritime routes. With the South China Sea and other critical waterways becoming flashpoints for conflict, he stressed the necessity for international maritime cooperation. "The oceans, once seen as a symbol of boundless opportunity, are now theatres of geopolitical tension," he noted somberly.
As the summit unfolded, discussions ranged from the nuances of global capital flows to the potential of renewable energy, yet Modi's address lingered in the minds of attendees. His call for reform and resilience in international institutions, including the United Nations, resonated with a world grappling with its own rapid transformation.
The NDTV World Summit, with its theme of 'A World Between Orders', provided a timely platform for these critical discussions. Modi's speech, blending caution with optimism, encapsulated the summit's ethos: to question the present, understand the transition, and shape the future.
