Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India’s trade deals with the European Union and the United States have instilled confidence in the world that it is moving towards global stability.
Mr Modi was replying to the discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha yesterday.
The Prime Minister said, the country is entering into future-ready trade deals with major countries that are drawing global approval and expanding opportunities for India’s youth.
He noted that nine significant trade agreements have been sealed recently, including the ‘Mother of all Deals’ with the European Union involving 27 countries.
Pointing to the trade pact with EU and the recent agreement with the US, which have been widely praised internationally, the Prime Minister remarked that the agreement with European Union gave the world confidence in global stability, and the US deal reinforced the sense of momentum, both serving as positive signals for the world.
Mr Modi said the country’s youth will be the biggest beneficiaries of these trade agreements.
Mr Modi observed that in the post-COVID world, as global instability grows, a new world order is emerging, and impartial analysis shows a clear tilt towards India. He stressed that India has become a trusted partner and friend to many nations, contributing shoulder to shoulder to global welfare.
The Prime Minister highlighted that India has become the strong voice of the Global South on international platforms.
The Prime Minister said, during her address to the joint sitting of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the rapid progress made over the past year in India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat.
Mr Modi remarked that the past year has been one of rapid progress in the journey of a developed India, with transformation visible across every sector and among all sections of society, as the nation moves forward in the right direction with great speed.
He stressed that India is now driven by policy, not adhocism, and that the mantra of Reform, Perform, Transform has put the nation on the Reform Express.
He detailed structural, process, and policy reforms aimed at strengthening manufacturing, empowering entrepreneurs, and ensuring value addition, declaring that India is now fully prepared to compete globally.
Mr Modi emphasised that the coming era is full of opportunities for India, especially for the youth, and policies are being framed to harness these possibilities.
He extended an invitation to citizens and urged Members of Parliament to encourage people in their constituencies to focus on quality, stressing that the sustainability of opportunities depends on uncompromising standards.
The Prime Minister said the country’s growth among the major economies is very high and inflation is low, which shows the robustness of the Indian economy.
Mr Modi pointed out that during the Opposition’s time, the phrase India missed the bus was common, symbolising lost opportunities. He said, today, India is not missing any bus but it will now lead from the front.
Taking a dig at the previous UPA government, the Prime Minister said, before 2014, the Indian economy was in the fragile five category and now the country is moving ahead to become the third largest in the world. He said Congress lacked vision and determination during its tenure.
The Prime Minister also hit out at the Congress party for its unruly behaviour during the proceedings of the House in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. He said, this amounts to an insult to the office of the President, tribal community and the Constitution.
Mr. Modi also criticized Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi for using derogatory remarks against Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu at the Parliament House premises. He termed these remarks as an insult of Sikh community saying that such behaviour is unfortunate.
The Prime Minister also accused the TMC-led West Bengal government of protecting the infiltrators and putting pressure on courts. He said, infiltrators are snatching the rights of the country’s youth.
Speaking about the achievements of the several welfare schemes, Prime Minister Modi said more than 30 lakh crore rupees collateral-free loans have been provided to the youth of the country under the MUDRA scheme.
In his address, the Prime Minister said, Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), which were at their highest level during the UPA era, have now dropped to their lowest level. He said, currently, NPAs are below one percent which reflects the healthy condition of the banks.
The Prime Minister said, under the PRAGATI platform, projects worth 85 thousand crore rupees were reviewed and the work was expedited.
The Opposition staged a walkout during the Prime Minister’s speech. President Droupadi Murmu had addressed the joint sitting of both the Houses on the 28th of last month on the commencement of the Budget session.
Earlier, participating in the discussion, BJP MP Maya Naroliya said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is steadily moving towards the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. She said, today the healthcare services have reached up to the villages across the country through more than one lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandir.
Emphasising that farmers are a top priority for the government, Mrs Naroliya noted that around four lakh crore rupees have been directly transferred into farmers’ bank accounts under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
She further stated that India’s foodgrain production has crossed 330 million tonnes and the country has become the world’s largest producer of rice.
Sandeep Kumar Pathak of the Aam Aadmi Party alleged that every institution is being misused. K R Suresh of TDP said that the reforms brought in by GST are commendable.
He said, lifting more than 24 crore citizens out of poverty and providing tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission is commendable.
After the speech of the Prime Minister, the Rajya Sabha adopted the Motion of Thanks onthe President’s address with voice vote. The Lok Sabha had also adopted the motion of thanks earlier in the day.
