PM Modi just gave Nothing's co-founder Akis Evangelidis a lesson in philosophy - and rephrased 'everything'

A conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nothing India co-founder and president Akis Evangelidis sparked interest on social media after the entrepreneur shared an unusual exchange about the story behind the tech brand’s name.

The interaction took place during a meeting of business and technology leaders in Nice, France, where PM Modi met innovators and entrepreneurs as part of his visit to the European nation. Sharing a photo from the event, Evangelidis revealed that the Prime Minister asked him a question the company has heard many times before – why is it called “Nothing”.

Interpretation of “Nothing” by PM Modi

In a post on X, Evangelidis said the discussion took a memorable turn when PM Modi linked the company’s name with Indian philosophy.

“During a conversation with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @Narendra Modi Ji, he asked me about the story behind the name @Nothing. It’s a question we’ve been asked countless times since the company’s inception, but this time it was special. He emphasized that in Indian philosophy, Nothingness is actually “Everything” – a state of infinite potential. That will stay with me…

Thank you PM for the interview and congratulations to the @BharatInnov2026 team for bringing together such an extraordinary group of people and showcasing Indian excellence and innovation.

As a company that has made India one of its most important markets and manufacturing hubs, we are incredibly excited about what lies ahead! 🇮🇳”

The post quickly gained traction online, with many users praising the philosophical insight offered by the prime minister and highlighting India’s growing importance in the global tech ecosystem.

Tech leaders meet in Nice

Photos shared by Evangelidis showed PM Modi interacting with leading figures from the technology and business sectors. One image featured Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy, while another captured a larger group of entrepreneurs and industry leaders attending the event in Nice.

The meeting was part of wider engagements to showcase innovation, entrepreneurship and India’s growing role in emerging technologies.

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London-based Nothing is increasingly targeting India as a key market. The company manufactures several of its products in the country and has repeatedly emphasized India’s strategic importance to its global operations.

PM Modi shares a selfie with Macron

On Sunday, PM Modi also shared a selfie with French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the growing partnership between India and France.

Posting a photo on X, the Prime Minister described the first part of his visit to France as productive and expressed confidence that bilateral relations will continue to strengthen.

“Loved meeting you in Nice. A really productive first leg. The India-France partnership will continue to soar to new heights. See you in Evian and Paris…,” PM Modi wrote on X.

President Macron had previously posted the same selfie with the short caption: “Nice.”

The image quickly went viral online, garnering attention for both the pun and the visible camaraderie between the two leaders.

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India-France focus on trade and technology

The meeting in France also resulted in a series of announcements aimed at deepening cooperation between the two countries.

India and France have agreed on a five-year target to double annual bilateral trade from the current $16 billion. The two sides also unveiled an innovation plan and joint AI framework designed to expand cooperation in strategic and future sectors.

These initiatives are expected to enhance cooperation in areas including technology, innovation, research and emerging digital industries, reflecting the growing importance of the India-France partnership in the rapidly evolving global economy.

Read also | French President Macron shares ‘nice’ selfie with PM Modi as they hold bilateral talks

Against this backdrop, Evangelidis’ account of his interaction with Prime Minister Modi offered a lighter moment from the visit, while highlighting how discussions of technology and innovation can intersect with deeper philosophical ideas.