New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2025 on Friday, highlighting India’s rapid economic growth, ongoing reforms, and increasing global influence.

Reflecting on his previous appearance at the summit before the 2024 elections, PM Modi noted that his government’s third consecutive term has set India on an accelerated path of progress.

“After our new government was formed, we have continuously received the blessings of people in various states. In June, the people of Odisha propelled the vision of Viksit Bharat forward. Then Haryana extended its support, and now…”

As he paused, the audience cheered loudly, sensing a reference to the recently concluded Delhi Assembly elections, where the BJP secured a decisive mandate.

‘Global Leaders Have Unprecedented Confidence in India’

Discussing his recent visits to the United States and France, PM Modi emphasized India's rising stature on the global stage.

“Today, major global platforms and world leaders express an unprecedented level of confidence in India. This was evident at the AI Action Summit in Paris.”

He stated that India is no longer just a participant in global affairs but a leader in multiple sectors.

‘Congress' Speed of Development Was 30 Years’

Taking a direct dig at previous governments, particularly the Congress, PM Modi criticized their slow pace of reforms and governance failures.

“Had the country not given us a mandate in 2014, do you think India would have witnessed this wave of reforms? Certainly not,” he said.

He pointed out that prior to 2014, India suffered from corruption and inefficient governance.

“The country saw both—Congress’ speed of development and its speed of corruption.”

Criticizing Congress' economic vision, he revealed:

“In 2014, the Congress government planned to make India the third-largest economy by 2044! That means a 30-year timeline. This was their speed of development.”

The remark sparked laughter from the audience. He then contrasted this with his government's achievements:

“And what is the speed of development in a Viksit Bharat? In just one decade, India has entered the top five economies. A young nation like India needs this speed, and today, we are progressing at that pace.”

‘Reforms Are Implemented With Conviction’

PM Modi underscored his government’s commitment to structural reforms, contrasting it with previous governments' reluctance.

“Previous governments hesitated to bring reforms, thinking, ‘Why take the effort? Let’s just pass five years and see what happens in the next election.’”

He argued that major reforms were often missing from national discourse under past administrations.

PM Modi also criticized the colonial mindset that persisted in India’s governance structures after independence.

“For years, we lived under the burden of colonial laws. Even after independence, the system kept following the rules made in 1860.”

Referring to the Indian Penal Code, which his government replaced last year with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), he said:

“We worked hard to change this. It took lakhs of human hours, but we replaced the old system with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Although implemented recently, its impact is already visible.”

‘India Is a Rising Bull’

At the Global Business Summit 2025, PM Modi declared that “this is India’s time.”

“Disruption, development, diversification—these are the most discussed words right now.”

He revealed that global leaders are closely observing India’s growth trajectory, with one leader even comparing India to a “rising bull.”

PM Modi’s speech at the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2025 reinforced his government’s vision for a developed India, driven by bold reforms, economic acceleration, and global leadership.