PM Modi addresses ET-Global Business Summit

Published By : Admin | February 23, 2019 | 09:45 IST
QuoteIndia is on the way to becoming the 5 th largest economy in the world: PM Modi
QuoteGovernment is taking reform measures to make the country a $10-trillion economy and world’s 3rd largest economy: PM
QuoteNDA government has moved away from the UPA’s “A,B,C mentality — A for avoiding, B for burying and C for confusing”: PM

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the Economic Times Global Business Summit.

He said from the days of 2013-14, when India was beset with problems such as runaway inflation, high fiscal deficit and policy paralysis, change is clearly visible today.Hesitations have been replaced by hope, and obstacles have been replaced by optimism, he said.

|

The Prime Minister said that since 2014, India has made significant improvements in almost all international rankings and indices.

He said rankings are mostly lagging indicators, which change only after things have changed on the ground. In this context, he gave the example of Ease of Doing Business, where several parameters have visibly improved.

He said that as India’s rank in Global Innovation Index has gone up from seventy six in 2014 to fifty seven in 2018, the surge in innovation is clearly visible.

|

The Prime Minister drew a contrast between different forms of competition between now and prior to 2014.

He said that the competition now is on development, and achieving aspirational targets such as total sanitation, or total electrification, or higher investment. By contrast, he said that earlier, the apparent competition seemed to be on delays and corruption.

The Prime Minister strongly criticized what he described as a “narrative” that certain things are just impossible in India.

The impossible is now possible, he declared, as he spoke of the progress made in making India clean and corruption free; in the poor leveraging the power of technology, and in removing discretion and arbitrariness in policy making.

He said that a perception had been made that governments cannot be pro-growth and pro-poor at the same time, but people of India are making it possible.

He said that during 2014 to 2019, the country would register average growth of 7.4 percent and the average inflation would be less than four and a half percent. Post liberalization of the Indian economy, this will be the highest rate of average growth and lowest rate of average inflation witnessed during the period of any government, he added.

In the last four years, the amount of Foreign Direct Investment received in the country was almost equal to what was received in seven years before 2014, the Prime Minister said. He added that to achieve this, India needed reforms to transform. Through the Bankruptcy Code, GST, Real Estate Act to name a few, a solid foundation for decades of higher growth has been laid, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said that India is a country of 130 crore aspirations and there can never be a singular vision for development and progress. “Our vision of new India caters to all sections of the society, irrespective of their economic profile, their caste, creed, language and religion,” he added.

Shri Narendra Modi said “our vision of New India includes addressing the challenges of the future while also solving problems of the past.” In this context, he gave the following examples:

• While India has made its fastest train, it has also eliminated all un-manned railway crossings.

• While India is building IITs & AIIMS at a rapid pace, it has also built toilets in all schools across the country.

• While India is building a 100 smart cities across the country, it is also ensuring rapid progress in over 100 aspirational districts.

• While India has become a net exporter of electricity, it has also ensured that crores of households which were in darkness since independence have got electricity.

Speaking of positive interventions in the social sector, the Prime Minister said that the Government is reaching out to twelve crore small and marginal farmers by providing them a comfort of rupees six thousand every year. This will transfer 7.5 lakh crore rupees or about one hundred billion dollars to our farmers over the next ten years, he added.

The outcomes of our focus on Digital India, Start-up India, Make In India and Innovate India are converging and reaping rich dividends, the Prime Minister said. 44 percent of the startups registered in India are from tier 2 and tier 3 cities, he added. Technology is bridging the gap between the haves and have-nots in our country, he said.

The Prime Minister said that the Government looks forward to making India a ten trillion dollar economy, lead the global drive towards renewable sources of energy, and make India a world leader in electric vehicles and energy storage devices.

Click here to read full text speech

Explore More
ਹਰ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਖੂਨ ਖੌਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ: ਮਨ ਕੀ ਬਾਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਮੋਦੀ

Popular Speeches

ਹਰ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਖੂਨ ਖੌਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ: ਮਨ ਕੀ ਬਾਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਮੋਦੀ
PM Modi holds 'productive' exchanges with G7 leaders on key global issues

Media Coverage

PM Modi holds 'productive' exchanges with G7 leaders on key global issues
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
We shall work together to shape Cyprus’s “Vision 2035” and our vision of a “Viksit Bharat 2047": PM Modi
June 18, 2025

Your Excellency, Honourable President,
Distinguished delegates from both nations,
Friends from the media,

Namaskar!
Kalimera!

At the very outset, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Honourable President for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality. Since the moment I set foot on the soil of Cyprus yesterday, the warmth and affection shown by the President and the people of this country have truly touched my heart.

A short while ago, I was conferred with a prestigious honour by Cyprus. This accolade is not mine alone — it is a tribute to the 140 crore Indians. It symbolises the enduring friendship between India and Cyprus. I express my sincere thanks, once again, for this honour.

Friends,

We attach great importance to our relations with Cyprus. Our shared commitment to values such as democracy and the rule of law forms the strong foundation of our partnership. The friendship between India and Cyprus is not one that has emerged out of circumstances, nor is it confined by borders.

It has withstood the test of time, again and again. In every era, we have upheld the spirit of cooperation, respect and mutual support. We honour each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Friends,

This visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades. It presents a golden opportunity to script a new chapter in our bilateral relations. Today, the Honourable President and I held extensive discussions on all aspects of our partnership.

There are many similarities between Cyprus’s “Vision 2035” and our vision of a “Viksit Bharat 2047”. Therefore, we shall work together to shape our shared future. To provide strategic direction to our partnership, we will develop a concrete roadmap for the next five years.

To further strengthen our defence and security cooperation, the bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme will focus on defence industry collaboration. Separate dialogues will be initiated on cyber and maritime security.

We are deeply grateful to Cyprus for its consistent support of Bharat's fight against cross-border terrorism. To combat terrorism, drug trafficking and arms smuggling, a mechanism will be established for real-time information exchange between our respective agencies. We both agree that there is immense potential in enhancing bilateral trade and investment.

Yesterday, during my interaction with the Honourable President, I sensed great enthusiasm and synergy within the business community regarding our economic ties. We are working towards concluding a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year.

This year, the “India-Cyprus-Greece Business and Investment Council” has also been launched. Such initiatives will boost bilateral trade and investment between our countries.

We also held detailed discussions on expanding cooperation in areas such as technology, innovation, health, agriculture, renewable energy, and climate justice. We are encouraged by the growing popularity of yoga and Ayurveda in Cyprus.

Cyprus is a preferred destination for Indian tourists as well. We shall work towards establishing direct air connectivity to facilitate their travel. We have resolved to expedite the finalisation of a Mobility Agreement.

Friends,

Within the European Union, Cyprus is our trusted partner. We extend our best wishes for Cyprus’s upcoming Presidency of the European Union next year. We are confident that, under your leadership, India-EU relations will reach new heights.

Both nations share common views on the need to reform the United Nations to make it more representative. We are grateful to Cyprus for its support of Bharat's bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

We have expressed concern over ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe. The adverse impact of these conflicts is not limited to their respective regions alone. We both agree that this is not an era of war.

Dialogue and the restoration of stability are the calls of humanity. We also discussed enhancing connectivity with the Mediterranean region. We concur that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will pave the way for peace and prosperity in the region.

Honourable President,

I extend a cordial invitation to you to visit Bharat. I look forward to the opportunity of welcoming you to Bharat at the earliest.

Once again, I sincerely thank you for the exceptional hospitality and honour.