“Nearly 25 Cr Lifted Out of Poverty, Creating a New Neo-Middle Class”
“Jan Aushadhi Kendras, Senior Citizen Schemes Drastically Reducing Healthcare Costs”
“Metro Rail ,Vande Bharat Trains Revolutionizing Indian Connectivity”
“Tax Reforms and Faceless Assessments Boosting Transparency, Disposable Income”
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that the principle of “Nation First” has been the driving force behind India’s transformation over the past decade, describing the country as not only one of the world’s fastest-growing economies but also a credible and reliable global partner.
Addressing the Republic Summit 2026 on the theme “Great Power India: Nation First”, the Prime Minister said India’s achievements in governance, economic growth, infrastructure expansion and social welfare were rooted in a collective commitment to national development.
Greeting the participants, Modi said the summit was being held at a time when the world was witnessing rapid and consequential changes, making discussions on India’s role and future particularly significant.
“The country has emerged not only as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies but also as a credible and reliable partner. India’s rise is founded on trust, stability and a commitment to the larger global good,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that India’s long civilisational heritage and ability to learn from both successes and challenges were helping shape policies that would influence the country’s trajectory for centuries to come.
Referring to his recent participation in the G7 Summit, he said global leaders recognised India’s unwavering commitment to the principle of Nation First and viewed the country as a dependable partner on the international stage.
“Along with being a rising power, India is also a reliable power,” Modi said, adding that the philosophy of Nation First continued to guide the government’s priorities and aspirations.
Reviewing the government’s 12 years in office, Modi said major initiatives such as Swachh Bharat, Make in India, the promotion of khadi and campaigns encouraging local products had succeeded because citizens embraced the idea of putting the nation above individual interests.
Highlighting changes in tribal and Left Wing Extremism-affected regions, the Prime Minister said areas once associated with violence and underdevelopment were now witnessing unprecedented progress.
He noted that over the past decade, more than 12,000 kilometres of roads, over 9,500 mobile towers, banking facilities, post offices and communication networks had been established in such regions.
“Maoist terror is breathing its last in India,” Modi said, attributing the decline in violence to a combination of sustained security operations and accelerated development efforts.
He cited the growing popularity of the Bastar Olympics as evidence of how opportunities and aspirations among young people were replacing fear and uncertainty in the region.
The Prime Minister said one of India’s greatest achievements had been a shift in national mindset from pessimism to confidence.
“The shift in mindset from ‘this can never be done’ to ‘this will be done’ is India’s greatest achievement,” he said, adding that programmes such as the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks initiatives had transformed some of the country’s most underdeveloped areas into engines of growth.
Modi also emphasised the government’s focus on poverty alleviation and middle-class welfare.
He said nearly 25 crore people had moved out of poverty in recent years, leading to the emergence of a large neo-middle class and creating new opportunities for economic and social mobility.
“The government is empowering the poor and middle-class,” he said, stressing that poverty reduction was not merely a welfare objective but also a catalyst for growth and aspiration.
On housing, the Prime Minister highlighted the creation of a Rs 25,000 crore special fund to revive stalled residential projects. He said the Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Fund had enabled the completion and delivery of thousands of housing units to homebuyers.
Modi also pointed to significant advances in transport and connectivity infrastructure over the past decade. He said metro rail systems now served more than one crore passengers daily, while Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains were strengthening connectivity across the country.
Expanded highways, roads and airports, he added, had improved mobility and generated fresh opportunities in urban as well as emerging growth centres.
Discussing economic reforms, the Prime Minister said tax measures had increased disposable incomes while technology-driven systems such as online filing and faceless assessments had simplified compliance and enhanced transparency.
He further highlighted efforts to reduce healthcare costs through Jan Aushadhi Kendras and welfare programmes that expanded health coverage, particularly for senior citizens. These initiatives, he said, had improved access to affordable healthcare and reduced out-of-pocket expenditure for millions of families.
Observing that India’s development journey had created a culture of rising expectations, Modi said citizens increasingly demanded better infrastructure, faster services and higher standards of living.
“India’s development journey has created a culture of rising expectations. These aspirations are a positive sign of confidence in the country’s future and a reflection of citizens’ belief that progress is achievable,” he said.
The Prime Minister praised India’s youth, entrepreneurs, innovators and start-ups for leading the country’s efforts to seize emerging opportunities in a rapidly changing global environment.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to reforms, innovation and citizen-centric governance, while urging citizens to remain focused on nation-building.
Referring to global disruptions and shifting economic realities, Modi said new opportunities were emerging alongside challenges and called on the younger generation to play a leading role in shaping India’s future.
“The Government stands firmly with the people in this transformative journey. The country is firmly on the path of accelerated development and this momentum will continue to strengthen,” he said.
Expressing confidence in India’s future, the Prime Minister said the vision of a developed nation would be realised through the collective efforts of all citizens. “The collective efforts of 140 crore Indians will realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat,” Modi said, extending his best wishes to the people of the country.
