“The road ahead offers immense opportunities for India. It’s time we set our sights on global markets and establish India as the epicentre of technological innovation,” stated Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, during his address at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025, being held from October 7 to 9 at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai.
Organised by the Payments Council of India (PCI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC), GFF 2025 has received the support of several key government bodies — including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology; the Department of Economic Affairs and the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance; the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry; the Ministry of External Affairs (New, Emerging and Strategic Technologies Division); and India’s leading regulators such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), and International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
Delivering the keynote session titled “India’s Digital Promise: Building Trust, Trade and Technology for All,” Shri Goyal highlighted how India has evolved from a participant in global trade to a key architect of the international fintech ecosystem. He credited the visionary leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for steering the nation’s remarkable journey of digital empowerment and resilience.
“Technology today is not just an enabler but a true driver of inclusive growth. With over a billion internet users, India stands as a testament to how digital tools can empower every citizen,” he noted. Emphasising India’s credibility in global markets, he said, “Trust is our greatest asset — it’s the only currency that continually appreciates.”
The Minister further remarked that India’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, expanding trade partnerships, and commitment to delivering quality at scale have positioned it at a historic turning point. Highlighting India’s leadership in clean energy, he shared that renewable power in the country is now available at less than 9 cents per kilowatt-hour — an advantage that will fuel data centres and artificial intelligence-driven innovations.
Referring to India’s fintech success story, Shri Goyal said, “UPI has become a symbol of India’s digital excellence. Its growing global adoption — now across nine countries — demonstrates the power of technology-led financial inclusion.”
Concluding his address, Shri Goyal urged the industry to seize the opportunities in emerging technologies: “Artificial intelligence must become India’s next frontier. With our trust, talent, and technology, India is ready to lead the world into a new era of digital progress.”
