Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday said India has transformed into one of the world’s strongest and fastest-growing economies under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that the Centre has taken adequate measures to shield the country from the impact of the ongoing West Asia crisis.
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Nadda said the Modi government had completed 12 years in office, marked by economic reforms, welfare delivery, infrastructure expansion, and decisive policymaking.
Describing PM Modi as the longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister in independent India, Nadda said he had led the country through a period of unprecedented transformation.
“India has moved from being the fifth-largest economy to becoming the fourth-largest economy in the world. Inflation, which once remained in double digits, has been brought under control, while policy paralysis has been replaced by decisive governance,” he said.
The former BJP national president said global institutions, including the IMF and the World Bank, now view India as a bright spot in the global economy and a major engine of growth at a time when several countries are facing economic uncertainty.
Highlighting the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, he said more than Rs 51 lakh crore had been transferred directly to beneficiaries, eliminating middlemen and plugging leakages estimated at over Rs 4 lakh crore.
Turning to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, Nadda said the government had adopted a multi-pronged strategy to safeguard critical sectors, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and fertilisers.
“The crisis in West Asia is a concern, but India has prepared itself strategically. We have ensured that citizens do not face shortages of medicines, medical devices, or fertilisers. Alternative sourcing arrangements have been put in place,” he said.
Nadda added that India had diversified its fertiliser procurement by engaging suppliers from countries outside the Strait of Hormuz region, including Indonesia, Australia, Russia, and China.
“We have adequate fertiliser stocks for the Kharif season and are already preparing for the Rabi season. Our farmers will not suffer because of international developments,” he added.
The Union Minister also highlighted the Centre’s emphasis on preventive healthcare, citing campaigns against obesity, the promotion of exercise, and the early detection of diseases under Ayushman Bharat and other flagship programmes.
Addressing concerns over rising cancer cases, Nadda said multiple factors contribute to the disease and that the government is focusing on prevention, awareness, and timely treatment.
He said India’s healthcare system had expanded significantly under the Modi government, with AIIMS institutions, new medical colleges, and healthcare infrastructure projects strengthening access to quality medical services across the country.
Nadda asserted that India’s progress over the past 12 years reflected Prime Minister Modi’s vision and leadership, as well as the trust reposed in him by the people of the country. (ANI)
