Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 7 October drew a sharp contrast between what he described as pre-2014 India — ‘immersed in despair and disappointment’ — and the country’s current trajectory under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha in New Delhi, Modi said the nation had travelled from ‘policy paralysis’ to a ‘reform express’ over the past 12 years.

What Modi Said at the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha

Addressing the gathering, Modi recalled the state of the economy when he assumed office. He said that in 2014, formidable challenges stood before the country, problems seemed to be everywhere, and every citizen was looking for a new path. ‘Regarding India’s economy, the world had started saying, “It’s a gone case”. There was no growth to be seen anywhere, inflation was touching the sky, and a country immersed in despair and disappointment once again needed a new sense of confidence,’ he said.

Modi added that his response in 2014 was to invoke collective will. ‘I called upon the collective strength of crores of Indians and once again told them, “We will do it!”’ he said. ‘And today, 12 years later, the picture has changed completely.’

Key Claims: From Imports to Exports, Blackouts to Solar Power

The Prime Minister listed several markers of what he called India’s transformation. On trade, he noted that earlier India sought ways to increase imports, whereas today new export records are being set. He also pointed out that India once imported mobile phones it needed, while today Made-in-India mobile phones are making their mark globally. On energy, he contrasted past power outages — which he said would become global headlines — with India’s rising solar capacity, now the subject of international discussion.

Modi also argued that during the previous government’s tenure, a crisis would shake the Indian economy, whereas now ‘India’s strength and resilience are discussed’ when a crisis occurs.

Agricultural Growth: A Decade of Records, Modi Claims

Modi cited agriculture as an ‘excellent example’ of the change he described. He claimed that the decade from 2015 to 2025 had delivered the highest consistent agricultural growth since Independence, outpacing even major agricultural economies globally. ‘This happens only when the intentions are clear, and the policies are clear,’ he said. These claims were not independently verified at the time of reporting.

Governance Philosophy: Saturation Over Segmentation

The Prime Minister articulated what he called the ‘saturation’ principle — ensuring every eligible beneficiary is covered, with no one left out and no one able to deprive another of their rightful entitlements. He connected this to his government’s Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas motto, arguing that dividing society along caste or community lines for electoral purposes was ‘one of the major tragedies’ of India’s governance history.

‘Just think, if water does not reach the fields, who suffers? Are only farmers of one caste affected by it? If electricity is not available, does darkness prevail only in the homes of one community? The answer to all these questions is no. If the problem affects everyone, the solution should also be for everyone,’ he said.

What Comes Next

The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha is part of a broader government outreach to showcase welfare and development milestones. Modi’s remarks come as the government increasingly frames its economic narrative around structural reforms. The Opposition had not formally responded to Wednesday’s address at the time of reporting, though Congress leaders have previously disputed government data on agriculture and employment. Further engagements under the Viksit Bharat framework are expected in the coming weeks.