India emerging as global ray of hope: PM Modi
New Delhi, Jan 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the country was emerging as a ìray of hopeî for the world and pointed to the free trade pact with the European Union, saying it for an ìambitious Indiaî and manufacturers should seize this opportunity to enhance capacities.
Addressing the media at the beginning of the Budget Session of Parliament, PM Modi said India was moving rapidly on the Reform Express and thanked parliamentarians for contributing their positive energies to the unveiling of reforms.
He said even his critics acknowledge the governmentís focus on last-mile delivery and this tradition would continue with the next generation reforms.
The PM said that Indiaís democracy and demography offer great hope for the world.
ìIn this temple of democracy, India has the opportunity to send a message of strength, commitment to democracy, and respect for decisions taken through democratic processes ñ messages welcomed and accepted globally,î he said.
PM Modi said that the present time was not for disruption but for solutions, not for obstacles but for resolution.
He said the Budget Session marked the culmination of the first quarter of the 21st century and the beginning of the next quarter.
ìThe year has begun on a very positive note, with a confident India emerging as a ray of hope and a centre of attraction for the world,î the PM said.
He said the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union at the start of this quarter reflected the bright future of Indiaís youth and the promising directions ahead.
ìThis agreement is free trade for an ambitious India, for aspirational youth, and for an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India),î PM Modi said.
He expressed firm belief that Indiaís manufacturers would seize this opportunity to enhance their capacities.
The PM said the ìmother of all dealsî with the European Union had opened up a vast market and Indian goods would reach there at lower costs.
He asked industry leaders and manufacturers to guard against complacency and instead focus on quality.
ìEntering this open market with the best quality products would not only earn profits from buyers across 27 EU countries but also win their hearts, creating a long-lasting impact for decades,î PM Modi said.
He said that companiesí brands, aligned with the nationís brand, would establish new prestige.
India and the European Union on Tuesday announced the conclusion of negotiations for the FTA, described as ìmother of all dealsî, under which 93 percent of Indian shipments would enjoy duty-free access to the 27-nation bloc, while import of luxury cars and liquor from the EU would become less expensive.
The deal, concluded after negotiations spanning about two decades, would create a market of about 2 billion people across the worldís fourth-largest economy, India, and the second-largest economic bloc, the EU.
PM Modi said the focus of his government had always been human-centric and for all-round development of the country.
He said that while India would compete with technology, absorb it, and accept its strengths, the government would never compromise on human-centric systems.
Referring to President Droupadi Murmuís address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, the PM said it was an expression of confidence of 140 crore citizens and outlined aspirations of the youth.
He said that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was going to table her ninth consecutive budget on Sunday and that she was the only woman finance minister in the country to achieve such a significant feat.
ìThis is a very glorious chapter of Indian democracy,î PM Modi said.
