Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the Indian diaspora in Milan, Italy, where she highlighted key initiatives and measures undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to ensure inclusive growth and development in India.

The Finance Minister expressed her appreciation for the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the local economies and societies. “Indian diaspora anywhere is held in great respect. They are seen as constructive and positive contributors to the respective economies where they reside,” she remarked during the address. “You bring immense pride to India, as law-abiding citizens who care for the country they live in while remaining connected to their motherland.”

During the interaction, Sitharaman highlighted the achievements of the Modi government, particularly the exponential growth of UPI (Unified Payments Interface). She mentioned that 1,800 crore transactions worth Rs 24 lakh crore were processed through UPI in March 2025 alone.

“UPI’s robustness is evident in its widespread usage. Today, India has 55.17 crore Jan Dhan accounts with a total deposit balance of Rs 2.614 lakh crore,” she added.

Sitharaman noted that while previous governments failed to deliver over several decades, the Modi-led administration has successfully implemented several key initiatives over the last 10 years, ensuring efficient delivery for all citizens without discrimination.

The Finance Minister led the Indian delegation to the 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Milan, held from May 4 to 7, 2025.