Trade Agreements Open New Opportunities For Youth: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that India is forging new trade and mobility agreements with countries around the world to unlock opportunities for young Indians, both at home and overseas. He made the remarks while addressing the 18th Rozgar Mela, where 61,000 newly selected candidates received their government appointment letters electronically.

Speaking via video conference to participants gathered at 45 locations nationwide, the Prime Minister emphasized that India’s youthful population is its greatest strength. He said the government is working to translate that demographic advantage into jobs, skills, and global exposure by deepening international economic ties and easing movement for professionals.

Congratulating the new recruits, he urged them to treat their appointment letters as an invitation to contribute to nation-building and to commit themselves to the vision of a developed India. He encouraged them to remember the difficulties citizens once faced in government offices and to ensure that such experiences are not repeated on their watch. He called on the workforce to embrace the ethos of “Nagrik Devo Bhava” — putting citizens at the heart of every service.

Highlighting recent public investment, the Prime Minister noted that the government’s push for modern infrastructure is generating fresh employment across construction and allied sectors. From transport networks to urban amenities, he said these projects are creating a wave of jobs while improving productivity and connectivity.

Modi also pointed to the rapid expansion of the startup ecosystem. Nearly two lakh registered startups now operate across the country, collectively employing over 21 lakh young people. This entrepreneurial momentum, he said, is being reinforced by supportive policies and a widening innovation culture that spans cities and smaller towns alike.

He added that Digital India has catalyzed an entirely new layer of the economy, with India emerging as a global hub for animation, digital media, and other technology-driven industries. The expanding digital marketplace is opening avenues in design, content creation, and platform services, further widening the spectrum of career choices.

Underscoring the reform agenda, the Prime Minister said the country is on a “reform express,” focused on making life and business simpler. He noted that next-generation improvements in the GST framework are helping youth-led enterprises and MSMEs grow with greater transparency and ease of compliance.

On labor policy, he said historic reforms have strengthened social security for workers and employees. The new labor codes, he emphasized, broaden coverage and empower more people to access benefits, which supports both workers’ welfare and business continuity.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister said the combination of trade pacts, mobility agreements, infrastructure expansion, digital transformation, and structural reforms is positioning India’s youth for success in a rapidly changing global economy. He encouraged the new appointees to lead by example, deliver efficient and empathetic public service, and seize the opportunities that a modernizing economy is creating.