5-nation tour pacts to drive job growth: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi said on Saturday that agreements yielded by his recent five-nation tour will unlock "new doors of new economy" for the youth, emphasising that India's presence in fields of clean energy, critical minerals and sustainable development will receive a boost due to tie-ups with these countries.

After distributing over 51,000 appointment letters for govt jobs through videoconferencing at Rozgar Mela, Modi said pacts signed with the UAE and Norway will strengthen shipbuilding ecosystem as well.

"Demand for engineers, technicians and skilled workers will surge beyond your imagination," he told the young audience, remarks that also appeared to be aimed at countering the opposition's narrative of unemployment and restlessness in Gen Z amid curiosity over the online buzz "Cockroach Janta Party" has made.

Modi said opportunities available to the youth today across manufacturing, technology, startups, digital services, railways, defence, and space are unprecedented in the country's history.

"The opportunities India's youth have today to fulfil their dreams were never there before," he said.

"There is a palpable excitement among global corporate leaders about India's youth and its technological advancement," Modi said of his visit, asserting that the world is keen to be part of India's development journey.

"India's international partnerships are purposefully structured to serve its youth. The purpose is that India's youth get employment and global exposure," he added.

Underlining his focus on advancing India's interests in emerging fields and helping its young population, he said every new investment, every technology partnership, and every industrial collaboration ultimately creates fresh opportunities for them. These sectors will shape industries and define global growth for several decades, Modi added.

Citing the ASM-Tata Electronics agreement as a concrete example of India's growing stature as a trusted global supply chain partner, he said it is among a handful of countries with which the Dutch semiconductor giant has signed an accord.

The partnerships with Sweden on AI and cooperation with the UAE on supercomputing would similarly bolster India's technological capabilities, Modi said.

He asserted that India is advancing in innovation, building and delivery at scale, earning global respect.