India emerges as trusted global partner, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is forging “future-ready” trade agreements with major global partners, drawing widespread international praise and reinforcing the country’s position as a trusted pillar of an emerging global order.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha while replying to the motion of thanks on the President’s Address, Modi said India has recently concluded trade deals with nine major countries, including landmark agreements with the European Union and the United States, ANI reports.

“India is signing future-ready trade deals with several countries. In the past few days, we have had trade deals with nine big and important countries of the world. The mother of all deals with 27 countries, with the European Union, is one of them,” he said.

Modi stressed that these agreements would create significant opportunities for young Indians across social and geographic backgrounds. “The recently signed trade deals will greatly benefit our youth. This includes young people from both rural and urban areas, as well as those from middle-class backgrounds—our sons and daughters. With the world market now open to them, new opportunities await,” he said. “I want to assure our youth that I stand with you, shoulder to shoulder, and that the world is ready to welcome your talents and ambitions.”

The prime minister said global confidence in India has grown as a result of these agreements. “Be it the trade deal of the European Union or the recent deal with the US, the entire world is openly praising these trade deals,” he said. “When we signed the trade deal with the EU, the world became more confident about the greater likelihood of global stability. After the trade deal with the US, the world became even more confident that with stability, they can sense speed too. This is a positive sign for the world.”

Modi also criticized previous governments, saying his administration has had to devote significant energy to undoing past missteps. “A significant part of our energy is being spent on correcting the mistakes of the past,” he said. “That is why we have placed strong emphasis on future-ready policies.” He added that India is now governed through “policy and strategy,” guided by the mantra of “reform, perform, transform,” declaring that “the nation has boarded the Reform Express.”

Reflecting on global shifts, Modi said the world is moving rapidly toward a new global order and that India’s role is becoming increasingly central. “When we analyse the current situations and circumstances objectively and without political bias, it becomes evident that there is a growing inclination toward India,” he said, describing the country as both a “Vishwamitra” and “Vishwabandhu”—a trusted friend and partner to the world.

His remarks came amid sloganeering by opposition members, prompting a pointed aside from the prime minister directed at the chair. Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha adopted the motion of thanks on the President’s Address by voice vote, also amid opposition protests.

By Vafa Guliyeva