New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India has positioned itself as a reliable and trusted partner on the global stage, as the world steadily moves toward a new international order.

Responding to the debate in the Rajya Sabha on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, the Prime Minister said major global economies are keen to deepen trade engagement with India.

“Today, the world is fast transitioning toward a new global order. If we examine the situation objectively and without political prejudice, it becomes clear that global inclination toward India is increasing. As a Vishwamitra and Vishwabandhu, India has earned the trust of many nations,” Modi said.

He underlined that India is entering into forward-looking trade agreements aimed at long-term growth. “India is signing future-ready trade deals with several countries. In recent days alone, we have concluded trade agreements with nine major nations. One of the biggest among them is the agreement with the European Union, which involves 27 countries,” he said.

The Prime Minister said these agreements would open new opportunities for young Indians across social and economic backgrounds. “These trade deals will benefit our youth—whether they come from villages, cities, or middle-class families. The global market is now opening its doors to them. I want to assure our young citizens that I stand with you, shoulder to shoulder, and the world is ready to recognise your talent,” he added.

Modi said India’s trade engagements are contributing to greater global stability. “Whether it is the agreement with the European Union or the recent trade deal with the United States, the global response has been overwhelmingly positive. The EU deal strengthened confidence in global stability, and the agreement with the US has added momentum and speed to that stability. This is an encouraging sign for the world,” he said.

Targeting the Congress, the Prime Minister said a significant portion of the government’s efforts has gone into correcting the missteps of earlier administrations. “A lot of our energy is spent undoing the damage of the past. The image created during those years left the country in a weakened position globally. That is why we have focused on future-oriented policies,” he said.

He added that governance today is driven by policy clarity and strategic planning. “Global confidence in India is rising. Guided by the principle of ‘reform, perform and transform,’ the nation has moved ahead decisively. India has now firmly boarded the Reform Express,” Modi said.

Highlighting economic performance, the Prime Minister said India is among the fastest-growing major economies. “The combination of high growth and low inflation reflects the strength of our economy. When we assumed office, India was grouped among the ‘Fragile Five’ economies. From being the sixth-largest economy at Independence, we are now moving steadily toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy,” he said.

Modi also pointed to India’s demographic advantage, noting that while many developed nations face ageing populations, India continues to grow younger. “Our country is scaling new heights of development and is becoming younger with each passing day. This demographic strength will power our future,” he said.

READ MORE: Indian Muslims are not tenants, they are landlords: Indresh Kumar

He said the past year marked a period of rapid transformation for the country. “The journey toward a developed India has gained strong momentum over the last year. Across sectors, the nation has witnessed significant progress and transformation. India is moving forward swiftly and in the right direction,” the Prime Minister added.