Confident India Rising Beyond Doubt and Despair, Says PM at Network18 Rising Bharat Summit

Developed nations keen on trade deals; digital public infrastructure and AI leadership highlight India’s global stature

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Network18 Rising Bharat Summit on Friday, asserting that a confident India is rising beyond doubt and despair, and that developed nations are eager to sign trade agreements with the country.

Speaking on the theme “Strength Within”, the Prime Minister said the last 11 years have infused new energy into the nation’s consciousness, with India determined to reclaim its rightful strength. Quoting the scriptures’ phrase “Tat Tvam Asi”, he said the divinity and potential the country seeks lie within itself and must be recognised and nurtured.

He noted that national potential is built over generations and emphasised that recent years have seen renewed focus on manufacturing, product quality and economic reforms. Strengthening the banking system and curbing double-digit inflation have helped position India as a global growth engine, he said.

Highlighting India’s digital transformation, the Prime Minister referred to the Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile trinity and said India’s digital public infrastructure has become a subject of global discussion. He said ₹24 trillion has been transferred directly to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer without leakages.

Modi also cited advances in renewable energy and infrastructure, stating that India has emerged as a leading solar power nation and expanded its metro rail network significantly, alongside the rollout of Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat trains.

On artificial intelligence, the Prime Minister said that unlike previous industrial revolutions where India was a follower, the country is now shaping global conversations. He pointed to the recent AI Summit attended by over 100 countries as evidence of India’s growing influence, adding that the country is building its own AI startup ecosystem and strengthening processing capacity.

Emphasising long-term planning, Modi said investments in semiconductors, green hydrogen, solar energy, ethanol blending, defence production, mobile manufacturing, drone technology and critical mineral infrastructure are aimed at ensuring economic security for decades. “Nation-building never happens through short-term thinking; it is shaped by a long-term vision, patience and timely decisions,” he said.

Referring to agriculture, the Prime Minister said ₹28 lakh crore in agricultural loans has been extended and over ₹4 lakh crore transferred directly to farmers under PM-KISAN. He added that reforms are helping India emerge as a leading agricultural exporter.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister urged citizens to strive for excellence, saying this is the right time to take India to new heights and move beyond routine work to world-class performance.