Modi: India on Reform Express with GST, Labour Reforms and Defence Self-Reliance
Modi: India on Reform Express with GST, Labour Reforms and Defence Self-Reliance
PM Modi frames India as a reform-driven power, highlighting GST, labour reforms and defence self-reliance during Parakram Diwas celebrations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described India as a nation on a Reform Express, highlighting GST and labour reforms as part of a broader push to make life easier for citizens and business. He spoke during Parakram Diwas, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, addressing the programme from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands via video-conferencing. Modi stressed that India is establishing itself as a powerful and resolute nation, capable of increasing its power, managing it responsibly and using it effectively. He added that Netaji Bose always dreamed of a strong India and that the government is building on that vision.
In line with Bose’s legacy, Modi said the defence sector is becoming self-reliant, with India moving away from over-reliance on imports. He noted that defence exports have crossed Rs 23,000 crore, and that indigenously built missiles like the BrahMos are drawing global attention as the armed forces modernise. Modi criticized past governments for undermining Bose’s legacy and for neglecting the country’s rich history after independence due to political insecurities.
The reform push was framed alongside a practical milestone: 61,000 government job letters were handed over as part of ongoing reform efforts to create opportunities and streamline administration. Modi linked these reforms to a broader governance philosophy aimed at simplifying life for citizens and making doing business easier, echoing the Reform Express narrative.
Modi also referenced Operation Sindoor as part of India's asserted ability to respond decisively to threats, arguing that a strong, self-reliant nation can protect its interests while respecting its historical leaders. The event underscored a message of national pride, with the prime minister tying economic reforms to strategic strength and historical vision.
Overall, the address painted a picture of India advancing on multiple fronts—economic reform, labour policy, and defence self-reliance—underpinned by Netaji Bose’s enduring call for a powerful, self-reliant nation.
