Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India is moving fast towards becoming the third major economy in the world.
The Prime Minister’s comments come days after US President Donald Trump’s ‘India a dead economy’ jibe.
In his address after laying the foundation stone for Bangalore Metro Phase 3 project here, worth over Rs 15,610 crore, the prime minister said Operation Sindoor demonstrated the capability to destroy terrorist hideouts deep across the border.
It showed the strength to bring Pakistan, that defended the terrorists, to its knees within hours and the world witnessed this new face of India. He attributed the operation’s success to the power of technology and the strength of ‘Make in India’ in the defence sector.
The PM also flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains and inaugurated the Metro Rail Yellow line, worth about Rs 7,160 crore.
The launch of projects also triggered a fight for credit with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stating that the state has been spending more than the Centre on Bengaluru’s metro network, “even though the project is meant to be jointly funded”.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the Centre “has very little role in the Bengaluru Metro Rail project” as 80 to 90 per cent of the project cost was borne by the state government.
“The Centre has fully neglected Karnataka, but to respect Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we requested him to inaugurate the Metro Yellow Line,” Shivakumar said.
Karnataka Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge criticised the BJP for “hijacking” the credit for Yellow Line.
Countering the allegations, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the railway budget for Karnataka has risen from Rs 835 crore before 2014 to Rs 7,500 crore after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister.
In his address, the prime minister, outlining the growth across sectors, said such achievements strengthened the resolve of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Further, the PM said the next big priority should be becoming self-reliant in technology. Indian tech companies have made a mark globally, developing software and products for the entire world, he added.
Modi said that during the past 11 years, India’s economy has grown from the 10th position to the top five globally, and is rapidly progressing towards becoming one of the top three economies. “We are moving fast to become one of the top three economies of the world. How we got this speed? We got it through the spirit of reform, perform and transform,” he said adding the speed was achieved through clear intention and honest efforts.