India a bright spot of growth and hope, PM Modi tells World Leaders Forum
PM Modi says India is seen as a bright spot of growth and hope, citing political stability, policy continuity and next-generation reforms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India's political stability and policy continuity have made the world view it as a "bright spot of growth and hope" amid rising global mistrust and the weaponisation of resources.
Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2026, Modi said the current atmosphere of distrust is creating numerous new challenges for the world. Even in such times, he added, India is being seen as a source of growth and optimism.
Modi underlined the country's growth journey, highlighting next-generation reforms and transformation across manufacturing, technology, infrastructure and governance. He said India is moving forward with political stability, policy continuity and a strong reform mindset.
He noted a shift in governance philosophy from "prohibited unless permitted" to "permitted unless prohibited." Through initiatives like Jan Vishwas, decriminalisation and removal of obsolete laws, the government is reducing the burden on citizens and enterprises, he said.
At the core of India's reform journey, Modi said, is a change in the philosophy of governance that incentivises production, encourages ambition and trusts entrepreneurs. India has moved from controlling enterprises to enabling them, he added.
"Our approach is rooted in trust, ease of living, ease of doing business and creating greater opportunities for the people," Modi said, adding that the "reform express" will continue with greater speed and determination.
He also referenced the theme of a "Shared Future," saying nothing is possible in isolation. He recalled India's G20 Presidency mantra of "One Earth, One Family, One Future."
Modi reiterated his 'Sapta Dhara framework for Viksit Bharat' from his Independence Day speech, covering manufacturing, agro-food production and processing, technology and innovation, logistics, defence, green and blue economy, and soft power.
He said India is undertaking next-generation reforms at the policy level to secure its future. "Reform is not a compulsion for us, it is our commitment, it is our conviction," he said.
Citing IMF forecasts that India will remain the world's fastest growing major economy, Modi said the country is taking steps that are giving momentum to development.
He contrasted the current approach with the past licence raj, recalling a time when companies were punished for exceeding production limits. "Those who mock Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat today had ancestors with the same mindset," he said.
Modi stressed that the foundation of the government-citizen relationship should be trust, not suspicion, and said this reform mindset is being carried forward in the government-enterprise relationship.