Paris, Aug 23 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday exuded confidence that India has begun its journey towards development.

"Today I can say with confidence that the 130 crore Indians have begun their journey towards development. The mandate we have received is not just for running a government, but for building a New India'," Modi said addressing the Indian community at the UNESCO headquarters here.

He added that when he had visited France four years back, he had promised that the country will start its march towards development.

"I do not belong to the community of Indians that forgets promises. I am the one who reminds people of the promises I made," he said.

"I have come to a nation of football lovers - a nation that very well understands the importance of goals. In the last five years, we have together set goals, which were considered impossible to fulfill," he said.

The PM also inaugurated a memorial there, that has been built to pay homage to the Indians who lost their lives in two Air India plane crashes -- in 1950 and other in 1966.

"I salute all those including the great Indian nuclear physicist Homi Bhabha who lost their lives in the Air India plane crashes in France's Saint Gervais," he said.