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Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the 10th anniversary of the Startup India initiative, noting the growth of India's startup ecosystem from fewer than 500 startups in 2016 to over 200,000 today. He emphasized that Indian startups are now innovating in fields such as AI, space, and green hydrogen.

Modi also called for a focus on quality in manufacturing, urging companies to adopt a 'Zero Defect, Zero Effect' approach. He announced the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi from February 15-20. During his address, Modi also discussed public participation in environmental efforts, praised cultural initiatives like 'bhajan clubbing,' and highlighted achievements in millets cultivation. Additionally, he mentioned the upcoming Union Budget 2026, which is expected to prioritize AI-driven defense technologies and indigenous manufacturing, aiming for a significant increase in defense exports by 2028-29.