PM Modi Highlights India's Transformation: From Maoist Challenges to Economic Powerhouse at NDTV World Summit

The government has successfully reduced the number of Maoist-affected districts across the country from 125 a decade ago to just 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted during his address at the NDTV World Summit in Delhi.

PM Modi was speaking at a session titled "Unstoppable Bharat: The Force of Now" at Bharat Mandapam, the world-class convention center at Pragati Maidan in the city.

The 2025 edition's theme, "Edge of the Unknown: Risk. Resolve. Renewal," serves as an invitation to face uncertainty with imagination, to view resolve not merely as a reaction but as intentional determination, and to embrace renewal as the creation of yet-undefined futures rather than a return to the past.

The Prime Minister elaborated on India's transformation from a 'Fragile Five' economy before 2014 to becoming one of the world's top five economies, outlining the nation's growth journey over the past 11 years.

Here are key highlights from the Prime Minister's address:

"This is a season of festivals. I wish all of you a very Happy Diwali."

"In this festive atmosphere, NDTV has organized its world summit with the apt topic - Unstoppable Bharat. Indeed, Bharat is in no mood to stop."

"Remember the discussions in conclaves before 2014? They centered around India facing global headwinds and remaining in policy paralysis."

"People believed India could never overcome these challenges. But in the last 11 years, India has defied all expectations."

"India has risen from the fragile five to rank among the top 5 economies globally."

"Today's self-reliant India doesn't remain silent; it responds decisively through surgical strikes, airstrikes, and Operation Sindoor."

"During Covid, when the world wondered how India would survive, we proved every assumption wrong. We overcame the challenge and emerged as the fastest-growing economy."

"Even as conflicts and wars dominated headlines after Covid, India continued moving forward."

"In the past 3 years, India's average growth has been 7.8%. Just two days ago, merchandise exports data showed 7% growth."

"The IMF revised India's growth projection upward. Google recently announced major investments. Significant investments are flowing into energy and semiconductor sectors."

"UK PM Keir Starmer visited India with his largest delegation ever, demonstrating that the world sees opportunity in India and recognizes India as a responsible partner."

"These investments are positioning India as the nerve center of global investment. For India, the edge of the unknown represents a gateway of opportunity."

"We've transformed every risk into reform, reform into resilience, and resilience into resolution. The IMF chief recently expressed excitement about India's reforms."

"We've heard about reforms before, but those were born of compulsion."

"India has proven everyone wrong. Today, 50% of global digital transactions in fintech occur in India."

"India has outperformed every estimate. This reflects India's current mindset."

"Unlike Congress, we've democratized policies - this drives Unstoppable Bharat. Congress distanced people from banks; poor citizens feared entering banks. When we took office, half the population lacked bank accounts."

"We freed the country from this excessive governmental control and reformed the banking sector. Digital transactions have made India one of the most financially inclusive nations."

"Congress attempted to close petrol pumps from 8 pm to 8 am to avoid subsidies. Today, petrol pumps operate 24 hours."

"In 2013, Congress debated whether to provide 6 or 9 cylinders yearly. We've provided free gas connections to 100 million people."

"During that era of excessive government control, they would shut down underperforming PSUs. We changed that approach, and now our PSUs are setting profit records."

"Listen to all speeches by Congress Prime Ministers from the Red Fort - all mentioned the poor, yet they couldn't reduce poverty. Today, we have a government truly dedicated to the poor, prioritizing the marginalized."

"India ranks among the top 5 countries with their own 4G technology stack."

"Congress spared no effort in undermining BSNL. Today, BSNL is reaching new heights."

"So far, 420 million people have used e-Sanjeevani for OPD consultations. A responsive government committed to democracy and constitution makes such policies. Our focus is simplifying people's lives and increasing their savings."

"We've provided benefits to taxpayers, making income up to Rs 12 lakh tax-free. Income tax and GST reforms will save the country Rs 2.5 lakh crore."

"During Congress rule, the ecosystem of urban naxals dominated."

"Recently, many Maoist terror victims visited Delhi. Many had lost limbs to Maoism. They stayed in Delhi for a week, but supporters of Maoism prevented their stories from reaching the world."

"In the last 50-55 years, thousands were killed by Maoist terror. These Naxals prevented the construction of schools and hospitals, barred doctors from entering facilities, and bombed institutions."

"Maoist terrorism was an injustice to the youth, and I couldn't allow this to continue. It pained me deeply. This is the first time I'm expressing this pain publicly."

"After 2014, we made concerted efforts to bring misguided youth into the mainstream. Today, the country is seeing the results."

"303 Naxals have surrendered. These weren't ordinary individuals; they carried bounties on their heads, and large caches of weapons were recovered from them."

"Previously, headlines reported vehicles blown up in Bastar and security personnel killed there; today, the youth are organizing Bastar Olympics. This represents significant change. Now, they can celebrate Diwali."