PMINDIA

Namaskar!

In recent times, I have had the opportunity to watch TV9 Bharatvarsh once or twice. Normally, your focus is very much on wars and missiles, and nowadays you are being overfed with content. Big countries seem determined to provide TV9 with so much material. But on a serious note, the grave circumstances the world is going through today are unprecedented and extremely serious. Amidst these conditions, TV9 Network has created a very important platform for ideas. At this summit, all of you are discussing the subject “India and the World.” I congratulate you, extend my best wishes for this summit, and welcome all the guests.

Friends,

Today, when the world is entangled in conflicts, when the adverse effects of these conflicts are visible across the globe, speaking about “India and the World” is highly relevant. India today is a country whose economy is advancing rapidly. Leaving behind the pre-2014 conditions, India is moving forward with new confidence. Now India does not avoid challenges but confronts them head-on. Look at the past 5–6 years: after the pandemic, challenges have only multiplied, year after year. There has not been a single year that did not test India and Indians. Yet, through the united efforts of 1.4 billion citizens, India has faced every crisis and moved forward. Even in times of war, the world is astonished to see India’s policy, strategy, and strength. We have a saying: “Truth stands the test of fire.” Since February 28, when turmoil erupted globally, India has continued to advance with determination for progress, development, and trust, despite harsh adverse circumstances. In these 23 days, India has demonstrated its capacity for relationship building, decision making, and crisis management.

Friends,

Today, when the world is divided into so many camps, India has built unprecedented and unimaginable bridges. From the Gulf to the Global West, from the Global South to neighboring countries, India is everyone’s trusted partner. Some people ask, “Whose side are we on?” My answer to them is simple: we are on India’s side, we are on the side of India’s interests, on the side of peace, and on the side of dialogue.

Friends,

At this time of crisis, when global supply chains are faltering, India has presented a model of diversification and resilience. Whether it is energy, fertilizers, or essential goods, India has made continuous efforts to ensure minimal hardship for its citizens, and continues to do so today.

Friends,

When national policy itself becomes the foundation of politics, then the nation’s future is paramount. But when personal interests dominate politics, people think of their own future instead of the country’s future. Recall what happened between 2004 and 2010. During the Congress government, there was a crisis of petrol, diesel, and gas prices. At that time, Congress worried not about the country but about its own power. They issued oil bonds worth 1.48 lakh crore rupees, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself admitted that he was placing a debt burden on future generations. Even knowing that the oil bond decision was wrong, those who ran the government by remote control made this decision to save their power, because accountability was not immediate-the repayment was due only after 2020.

Friends,

In the past 5–6 years, our government has worked to wash away that sin of the Congress government, and the cost of this cleansing has not been small. You would not have seen such a laundry before. Instead of 1.48 lakh crore rupees, the country had to pay more than 3 lakh crore rupees because interest was added. In other words, we were forced to pay nearly double the amount. Nowadays, Congress leaders fire off missiles of statements-missiles make TV9 happy-but when this subject comes up, they are left speechless.

Friends,

Regarding the situation in West Asia, I gave my statement today in the Lok Sabha. Wherever wars are happening in the world, they are far from India’s borders. But in today’s interconnected systems, no country can remain untouched by the adverse effects of wars. In many countries, the situation has already become very serious. And in these circumstances, we see that some people, some parties, driven by political self-interest, are still searching for political opportunities even in times of crisis. Therefore, I say again from the platform of TV9: this is a time for restraint, for sensitivity. We saw during the great crisis of the pandemic that when citizens unite to face a challenge, the results are highly meaningful. With the same spirit, we must face the circumstances created by this war.

Friends,

Amidst all the turmoil in the world, India has maintained the pace of its progress. If I give you just the account of the past 23 days since the war began on February 28, development projects worth thousands of crores have taken place across the country, from east to west and north to south. Inauguration of important corridors of the Delhi Metro Rail, foundation stone of the Silchar High-Speed Corridor, foundation stone of a new airport in Kota, granting international status to Madurai Airport-many such works have been accomplished in just these 23 days. In the past month alone, a grand scheme to accelerate industrial development has been approved, under which 100 plug-and-play industrial parks will be developed across the country. The Small Hydro Power Development Scheme has also been given the green light, which will add 1,500 megawatts of new hydro power capacity in the coming years. During this time, the Jal Jeevan Mission has been extended until 2028. Many major decisions have also been taken in the interest of farmers. In just the past month, more than 18,000 crore rupees have been directly transferred into farmers’ accounts under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. For our MSMEs and exporters, a relief package of about 500 crore rupees has also been announced. All these steps are proof of how rapidly the country is working to build a developed India.

Friends,

In the world of management, there is a principle: “What gets measured, gets managed.” But I would like to add one more thought: “What gets measured, gets improved and ultimately, gets transformed.” Because assessment creates awareness. Assessment establishes accountability. And most importantly, assessment gives birth to possibilities.

Friends,

If you assess the 10–11 years before 2014 and the 10–11 years after 2014, you will see how India has transformed every sector by following this principle. Earlier, highways were built at a pace of about 11–12 kilometers per day; today India is building highways at nearly 30 kilometers per day. Earlier, the turnaround time for ships at ports was 5–6 days; today the same work is completed in less than 2 days. Earlier, there was hardly any discussion about startup culture. Before 2014, India had only 400–500 startups. Today, India has more than 200,000 registered startups. Earlier, medical education seats were limited, about 50–55 thousand MBBS seats; today this number has risen to more than 125,000. Earlier, millions of people were excluded from the banking system. The country had only about 250 million bank accounts. Through the Jan Dhan Yojana, more than 550 million bank accounts have been opened. Earlier, the number of airports in the country was less than 70. Today, the number of airports has increased to more than 160.

Friends,

Plans were made earlier too, but today the difference is that results are visible. Earlier the pace was slow, today India is on the fast track. Earlier possibilities were in darkness, today resolutions are turning into achievements. That is why the world is receiving the message that this is a new India. It is leaving no stone unturned in its development.

Friends,

Today our effort is to turn the imbalance in development created in the past into opportunities. Take eastern India, for example. Eastern India is rich in resources, but decades of neglect by those who governed there put brakes on its development. Now the situation is changing. In Assam, where once the sound of bullets was heard, today a semiconductor unit is being built. In Odisha, new sectors from semiconductors to petrochemicals are developing. In Bihar, where in 6–7 decades only one major bridge was built over the Ganga, in the past decade more than five new bridges have been constructed. In Uttar Pradesh, once known for stories of country-made pistols, today it is making its mark globally in mobile phone manufacturing.

Friends,

Another major state of eastern India is West Bengal. West Bengal was once the hub of India’s culture, education, industry, and trade. In the past 11 years, the central government has invested heavily in West Bengal’s development. But unfortunately, today there is a ruthless government there that has put brakes on development. Viewers of TV9 Bangla know that in Bengal, the Ayushman scheme has been blocked by this ruthless government. The PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme has been blocked. The PM Awas Yojana has been blocked. The scheme for tea garden workers has been blocked. In other words, instead of prioritizing development and public welfare, this ruthless government is prioritizing its political self-interest.

Friends,

The party that started this kind of politics in the country cannot escape its sins, and that party is Congress. The sole aim of Congress politics has been to oppose development in every possible way. Congress has been doing this since the time I was in Gujarat. When the people of Gujarat blessed us for years, Congress did not accept that mandate. They questioned Gujarat’s image, put its progress in the dock, and when the same trust was seen across the country, Congress’s opposition grew from regional to national.

Friends,

When opposition in politics turns into opposition to development, when criticism begins to question the nation’s achievements, then it is no longer just opposition to the government-it becomes a mindset uncomfortable with the country’s progress. Today Congress has become a slave to this mindset. The situation today is that every success of the country is questioned, every achievement is scrutinized for flaws, and every effort is wished to fail. During COVID, when the country developed its own vaccine, Congress doubted it. When Make in India was discussed, they said it would not succeed, mocked it by calling it a paper tiger. When Digital India was launched, they ridiculed it. But every time, it has been Congress’s misfortune and India’s good fortune that India turned every challenge into success. Today India is an example of the world’s largest vaccination drive. India is a global leader in digital payments. India is reaching new heights in manufacturing and startups.

Friends,

In a democracy, opposition is necessary. But there is a line between opposition and malice. Opposing the government is a democratic right. But defaming the country raises questions about Congress’s intent. When opposition reaches the level where even the nation’s achievements become uncomfortable, then this is not politics, it is a problem of perspective. We saw this recently at the Global AI Summit. When the whole world was gathered in India, Congress leaders went there to tear their clothes in protest. This shows how little they care about the country’s honor. That is why today it is necessary to place national interest above party interest, because ultimately, above politics stands the nation, and the nation’s development.

Friends,

Today’s day also inspires us in this direction. On this very day, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, and Shaheed Sukhdev made the supreme sacrifice for the country. Today is also the birth anniversary of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, the eminent idealist of the socialist movement. These are inspirations that always placed the nation above self. This inspiration of placing national interest above all else will make India a developed nation. This inspiration will make India self-reliant. I am fully confident that this TV9 summit will further strengthen India’s self-confidence and the trust the world has in India and Indians. My best wishes to all of you, and I thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to come among you and meet you all.

Namaskar!