Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the NDTV World Summit 2025 on Friday, reflected on India’s transformative journey over the last 11 years, declaring that the nation has gone from being part of the so-called ‘fragile five’ to becoming one of the top five global economies, with its sights firmly set on becoming the third-largest in the world.
Opening his address with Diwali greetings, PM Modi said that before 2014, India was mired in policy paralysis and global commentary often revolved around how India would survive international economic headwinds. “But today, India sets the pace. We have defied expectations,” he said.
He noted that despite global uncertainty, India continues to grow with resilience, making the summit’s theme “Unstoppable India” highly relevant.
Highlighting key achievements, the Prime Minister mentioned:
• India’s average GDP growth rate of 7.8% in recent years.
• Merchandise exports rising by nearly 7% in September 2025, reaching $36.38 billion, even in the face of US-imposed tariffs.
• A recent S&P credit rating upgrade, the first in 17 years, reflecting improved investor confidence.
• Massive global investments in areas such as green energy, semiconductors, and particularly artificial intelligence (AI), referencing Google’s $15 billion AI investment in India.
• Strong international interest, including the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer bringing his largest-ever trade delegation to India.
PM Modi also highlighted India’s global digital dominance, noting that 50% of the world’s digital transactions now happen in India, largely driven by platforms like UPI (Unified Payments Interface). “India’s digital model is being recognised and replicated globally,” he added.
Calling this “India’s moment,” the Prime Minister said the world now sees India as a responsible, reliable partner. “From economic reform to digital revolution, India has not only met expectations — it has exceeded them,” he concluded.