Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared that India's youth are at the core of the nation's foreign policy and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), emphasizing their crucial role in building a 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India). Modi highlighted that the government's domestic and foreign policies are designed with the interests of the youth in mind.
Addressing the 17th Rozgar Mela, where over 51,000 appointment letters were distributed to new recruits across various government departments, Modi underscored his government's commitment to empowering the youth. He noted that India, as one of the youngest nations globally, derives significant strength from the potential of its youth. The Prime Minister also launched the 'Pratibha Setu Portal' to connect candidates who reached the final stage of the UPSC examination but were not selected, with opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
Modi stated that India's foreign policy is being shaped with the interests of the country’s youth in mind and diplomatic engagements and global agreements are increasingly focused on youth training and employment generation. He pointed to recent trade agreements with nations such as the UK, Brazil, Singapore, South Korea, and Canada as examples of unlocking new job prospects. These collaborations prioritize sectors like Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), FinTech, and clean energy, fostering innovation and growth. The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), finalized on May 6, 2025, is expected to boost bilateral trade and provide Indian businesses with nearly tariff-free access to British markets.
The Prime Minister emphasized that these agreements aim to generate jobs and support startups and MSMEs, which will strengthen exports and open new avenues for growth and opportunity for India's youth. He also mentioned the government's target to provide jobs to 35 million youth under the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgaar Yojana, including skill training provisions.
India has been actively pursuing FTAs with various countries and trade blocs to strengthen trade relations, promote economic growth, and facilitate market access. As of 2025, India has 13 active Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and is engaged in ongoing negotiations to strengthen bilateral and regional trade partnerships. These agreements typically reduce or eliminate import duties on a wide range of traded goods.
A recent survey indicated that Indian youth are largely pro-trade, motivated by India's increasing economic growth and partnerships. The survey respondents expressed optimism about India's economic engagements with North America, Europe, and Central Asia. A significant percentage of respondents believed that FTAs increase job opportunities and standards of living and that FTAs with the European Union (EU) and the UK will be beneficial for India.
