The World This Week on India

Greetings, Friends,

Yesterday, the Honorable President’s address was an expression of the self-confidence of 140 crore countrymen, an account of the collective endeavor of 140 crore Indians, and a very precise articulation of the aspirations of 140 crore citizens—especially the youth. It also laid out several guiding thoughts for all Members of Parliament. At the very beginning of the session, and at the very start of 2026, the expectations expressed by the Honorable President before the House, in the simplest of words and in the capacity of the Head of the Nation, reflect deep sentiments. I am fully confident that all Honorable Members of Parliament have taken them seriously. This session, in itself, is a very important one. It is the Budget Session.

A quarter of the 21st century has already passed; we are now beginning the second quarter. This marks the start of a crucial 25-year period to achieve the goal of a Developed India by 2047. This is the first budget of the second quarter of this century. And Finance Minister Nirmala ji is presenting the budget in Parliament for the ninth consecutive time—the first woman Finance Minister in the country to do so. This moment is being recorded as a matter of pride in India’s parliamentary history.

Friends,

This year has begun on a very positive note. A self-confident India today has become a ray of hope for the world and also a center of attraction. At the very beginning of this quarter, the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union reflects how bright the coming directions are and how promising the future of India’s youth is. This is free trade for an ambitious India, free trade for aspirational youth, and free trade for a self-reliant India. I am fully confident that, especially India’s manufacturers, will use this opportunity to enhance their capabilities.

I would say to all producers: when such a “mother of all deals,” as it is called, has been concluded between India and the European Union, our industrialists and manufacturers should not remain complacent merely thinking that a big market has opened and goods can now be sent cheaply. This is an opportunity, and the foremost mantra of seizing this opportunity is to focus on quality. Now that the market has opened, we must enter it with the very best quality. If we go with top-class quality, we will not only earn revenue from buyers across the 27 countries of the European Union, but we will also win their hearts. That impact lasts a long time—decades, in fact. Company brands, along with the nation’s brand, establish a new sense of pride.

Therefore, this agreement with 27 countries is bringing major opportunities for our fishermen, our farmers, our youth, and those in the service sector who are eager to work across the world. I am fully confident that this is a very significant step toward a confident, competitive, and productive India.

Friends,

It is natural for the nation’s attention to be focused on the budget. But this government has been identified with reform, perform, and transform. Now we are moving on the reform express—at great speed. I also express my gratitude to all colleagues in Parliament who are contributing their positive energy to accelerate this reform express, due to which it continues to gain momentum.

The country is now moving out of long-term pending problems and stepping firmly onto the path of long-term solutions. When long-term solutions are in place, predictability emerges, which creates trust across the world. In every decision we take, national progress is our objective, but all our decisions are human-centric. Our role and our schemes are human-centric. We will compete with technology, adopt technology, and accept its potential, but at the same time, we will not allow the human-centric system to be diminished in any way. Understanding the importance of sensitivities, we will move forward with a harmonious integration of technology and humanity.

Those who critique us—who may have likes or dislikes toward us—this is natural in a democracy. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that this government has emphasized last-mile delivery. There is a continuous effort to ensure that schemes do not remain confined to files but reach people’s lives. This tradition will be taken forward in the coming days through next-generation reforms on the reform express.

India’s democracy and India’s demography today represent a great hope for the world. From this temple of democracy, we should also convey a message to the global community—about our capabilities, our commitment to democracy, and our respect for decisions taken through democratic processes. The world welcomes and accepts this.

At a time when the country is moving forward, this is not an era of obstruction; it is an era of solutions. Today, the priority is not disruption, but resolution. Today is not a time to sit and lament through obstruction; it is a period that demands courageous, solution-oriented decisions. I urge all Honorable Members of Parliament to come forward, accelerate this phase of essential solutions for the nation, empower decisions, and move successfully ahead in last-mile delivery.

Thank you very much, colleagues. My best wishes to all of you.