Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the NDTV World Summit 2025 in New Delhi, delivering a wide-ranging speech that underscored India’s economic transformation, democratic reforms, and growing global stature. Extending Diwali greetings to the nation, the Prime Minister lauded the summit’s theme, “Unstoppable India,” calling it “timely and apt” for a country “in no mood to stop.”
PM Modi contrasted India’s position before 2014 with its current standing, recalling how the country was once labelled part of the “Fragile Five” amid widespread economic and governance concerns. “Over the past eleven years, India has shattered every doubt and overcome every challenge,” he said, highlighting that India has moved into the world’s top five economies, with inflation below 2% and growth above 7%.
The Prime Minister emphasized India’s newfound confidence across sectors – “from chips to ships” – and its firm responses to terrorism through surgical and air strikes, including Operation Sindoor.
Recounting the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi said that while the world doubted India’s ability to manage such a crisis, the country emerged stronger. “India developed its own vaccines, delivered them in record time, and became the fastest-growing major economy,” he stated.
He also noted that despite global conflicts and economic uncertainty, India’s growth has remained robust, with an average rate of 7.8% over the past three years. Merchandise exports rose by nearly 7% this year, while agricultural exports reached ₹4.5 lakh crore. The Prime Minister highlighted recent foreign investment milestones, including a $15 billion commitment from Google in India’s AI sector and rising investments in green energy and semiconductors.
Referring to the summit’s theme “Edge of the Unknown,” PM Modi said that while the unknown represents uncertainty for many, for India, it is “a gateway to opportunity.” He credited India’s culture of innovation and reform for turning challenges into transformation—from digital identity to fintech and green energy.
“Fifty percent of the world’s real-time digital transactions happen in India. Our UPI has become a global digital payment model,” he said.
PM Modi identified “democratization of policy and process” as a key driver of India’s progress. Criticizing past governments for promoting bureaucratic control, he cited reforms in banking, petroleum, and gas sectors. “Before 2014, over half of India did not have a bank account. Today, every village has a banking touchpoint,” he said, noting over 50 crore Jan Dhan accounts opened under his government.
He also contrasted past fuel scarcity with today’s round-the-clock access and expanded clean energy initiatives. In the gas sector, he highlighted the distribution of free gas connections to over 10 crore poor families.
The Prime Minister emphasized that reforms have directly benefited citizens. “Before 2014, 1 GB of data cost ₹300; now it’s just ₹10,” he said. He cited major savings under schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, as well as reduced heart stent costs. Tax reforms, including making income up to ₹12 lakh tax-free, are expected to save Indians around ₹2.5 lakh crore annually.
Turning to internal security, PM Modi addressed the decline of Maoist and Naxal violence in India. “Eleven years ago, 125 districts were affected. Today, only 11 remain, with just three still severely impacted,” he said. Over the past decade, thousands of Naxalites have surrendered, including 303 in the last 75 hours alone, many of them carrying large bounties.
He highlighted the transformation of Bastar, once a Naxal stronghold, where tribal youth now organize the Bastar Olympics. “This Diwali, regions freed from Maoist terrorism will light lamps of happiness,” he declared, pledging a Naxal-free India.
PM Modi spotlighted digital initiatives like eSanjeevani, which has facilitated over 42 crore OPD consultations. “e-Sanjeevani is not just a service – it’s a symbol of trust,” he said, highlighting its role in connecting remote communities to medical care.
He also praised Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited for launching an indigenously developed 4G stack, joining the world’s top five nations in this domain and extending high-speed connectivity to remote areas.
Citing the recent European Free Trade Association agreement with $100 billion in committed investment, growing trade with G7 nations, and major diplomatic engagements, including with Keir Starmer, PM Modi said India is increasingly seen as a “reliable, responsible, and resilient partner.”
“India’s growth today is shaping global opportunities,” he remarked.
“India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation is not merely a pursuit of growth,” the Prime Minister concluded. “It is growth with dignity, speed with respect, and innovation with compassion.”
Dignitaries in attendance included Sri Lankan PM Harini Amarasuriya, former Australian PM Tony Abbott, and former UK PM Rishi Sunak.