Asserting that India has shed the shackles of “doubt and despair”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday declared that the world’s most developed nations are now lining up to ink trade pacts with New Delhi.
Speaking at the Rising Bharat Summit 2026, the Prime Minister framed this global eagerness as a direct result of India’s soaring economic stature and its transformation into a “fast and fearless” global powerhouse.
“Why are developed nations so eager to sign trade deals with India,” PM Modi asked the audience, adding, “Because a confident India is rising beyond doubt and despair. In the last 11 years, a new energy has flowed into the nation’s consciousness. India is determined to regain its rightful strength.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks coincide with a historic surge in India’s trade diplomacy. In the just first two months of 2026, India has successfully concluded the “Mother of All Deals” — a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union — and finalized pacts with the United Kingdom, Oman, and New Zealand.
Experts note that India is no longer a mere passive participant in global commerce but a central pillar of global supply chains. The government’s strategy of leveraging its $4 trillion-plus economy has given New Delhi unprecedented leverage, positioning the nation as a credible alternative to traditional manufacturing hubs.
“Nation-building never happens through short-term thinking. It is shaped by a long-term vision, patience, and timely decisions,” Modi remarked.
Beyond trade, he highlighted India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) — including Aadhaar and UPI — as a “subject of global discussion.” He pointed out that India’s “digital stack” has become a blueprint for financial inclusion and efficient governance that other nations are now seeking to emulate.
The Prime Minister also spotlighted the recently-concluded AI Impact Summit 2026, where India championed the “Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhaye” (Welfare for All) model. He remained steadfast, describing the current momentum as the result of a decade of structural reforms and infrastructure expansion.
By projecting India as the “Leading Voice of the Global South,” the Prime Minister signaled that the country’s rise is not just an economic phenomenon but a geopolitical shift intended to drive global growth for decades to come.