Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a pointed response to US President Donald Trump’s recent remark describing India as a “dead economy,” declared that the nation is firmly on track to become one of the world’s top three economies. Speaking with conviction, Modi said the country’s progress is fuelled by a blueprint rooted in reform, performance, and transformation, powered by “clear intentions and honest efforts.”
“We are rapidly moving towards being among the top three economies of the world. This momentum comes from our reform-perform-transform approach, backed by integrity and determination,” he asserted.
Outlining a decade of achievements, Modi highlighted sweeping infrastructure and economic changes since 2014. Metro services, once confined to five cities, now span more than 1,000 km across 24 cities — the third-largest network globally. Rail electrification, which stood at 20,000 km until 2014, has doubled to 40,000 km in just 11 years. The number of airports has risen from 74 to over 160, while national waterways have expanded tenfold, from three in 2014 to 30 today.
Exports have also surged — from $468 billion in 2014 to $824 billion in 2025. Electronics exports jumped from $6 billion to $38 billion, making India one of the top five mobile handset exporters worldwide. Automobile exports have more than doubled, positioning the country as the fourth-largest auto exporter globally.
Modi stressed that these milestones strengthen the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, with a focus on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and semiconductors. He cited the progress of the India AI Mission and the domestic semiconductor push, expressing confidence in seeing a “Made-in-India” chip soon.
He also praised India’s space sector for delivering “low-cost, high-tech” innovations, which, he said, are empowering rural communities through digital inclusion. India now accounts for over half of the world’s real-time digital transactions, a feat largely driven by the success of UPI.
Calling on industries to uphold the “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” principle, Modi urged Bengaluru and Karnataka to strengthen their leadership in manufacturing and the Make in India movement. “Together, we will build a developed nation,” he concluded.
