Modi says Viksit Bharat in sight, calls for stronger private sector push

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that the vision of Viksit Bharat is firmly within reach, crediting the latest Union Budget and a series of global trade agreements as strong foundations for India’s next growth phase.

In a wide-ranging interview with PTI, Modi urged the private sector to step in “more aggressively” and invest “boldly” to accelerate the country’s transformation into a developed nation. He said the government has created a stable and predictable policy environment that has restored investor confidence and strengthened India’s global standing.

Highlighting India’s expanding trade footprint, the Prime Minister said the country has signed free trade agreements with 38 nations from a “position of strength,” backed by robust growth in manufacturing, services and MSMEs. He contrasted this with the performance of the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, alleging that it failed to secure substantial trade deals during its tenure.

Modi described the recently unveiled Budget as a critical step towards achieving Viksit Bharat, with a strong emphasis on capital expenditure, infrastructure expansion and support for sunrise sectors. He said sustained public investment has laid the groundwork for long-term, innovation-driven growth.

Emphasising inclusive development, the Prime Minister noted that women will play the “most important role” in realising the vision of a developed India. He highlighted initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s participation in entrepreneurship, workforce engagement and leadership roles across sectors.

Stressing political stability as a key driver of economic progress, Modi said consistent governance and reform-oriented policies have enabled India to negotiate global trade pacts and attract international investment with greater confidence.

Calling on industry leaders to match the government’s momentum, he reiterated that the journey towards Viksit Bharat requires a strong partnership between the public and private sectors.