Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and Labour & Employment Shri Bhupender Yadav today said India has gained a global stature under Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership and the world recognises its leadership in climate action, innovation and technology.

Addressing a press conference on India’s Rising Stature Globally Shri Yadav said, “India successfully reached the Moon spending just Rs 615 crore. India is the first country to reach Moon’s south pole. One of the most significant takeaways from India’s space journey with Chandrayaan 3 is the importance of self-reliance. While India’s initial missions leaned on international partnerships, Chandrayaan-3 was a step towards self-sufficiency.”  

Shri Yadav said, “This has been made possible by the visionary leadership of Shri Narendra Modi ji.”

The Union Minister drew attention to how India surprised the world with its response to Covid pandemic. “When the Covid pandemic struck, the world thought India would collapse. Not only did India not collapse but its response to Covid became an example for the world. India carried out not just the largest vaccination drive but also the world’s fastest such drive. What’s more? The vaccines were Made in India. India also helped countries in need with vaccines. India’s Covid vaccine Maitri programme has helped more than 100 nations.”

Highlighting the global praise India gathered for its Covid response,Shri Yadav said, “WHO has also acknowledged that ‘a prepared India is a prepared world’.”

Speaking of India’s economic resilience, Shri Yadav said, “There was fear that the Indian economy would collapse after Covid. But under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India turned the crisis into an opportunity. The world commended India’s efforts in combating COVID-19. International organisations like the IMF, World Bank, and others acknowledged India's remarkable V-shaped economic recovery, surpassing that of China and the US.”

“When many doubted we will recover and that at best our recovery will be U-shaped, India bounced with a V-shaped recovery.”

He said the IMF, World Bank and several global heads have acknowledged India as the bright spot amid an otherwise global downturn. “In 2022, India likely topped its former colonial master Britain in gross domestic product, becoming the world’s fifth-largest economy. The World Bank forecasts India’s GDP growth for FY23/24 to be at 6.3%. India’s growth continues to outpace major economies like the US (2.1%), China (4.4%), and the Eurozone (0.7%) (IMF, October 2023),” Shri Yadav said.

He also drew attention to how global giants were turning to India as their manufacturing hub.

“Apple has started assembling its latest iPhone 15 in India. Taiwan’s Foxconn has teamed up with Vedanta to jointly make semiconductors in India,” the Minister highlighted.

Shri Yadav said India is set to overtake Germany in terms of GDP in 2025 and Japan in 2027 to become the third-largest economy after the US and China.

The Union Minister highlighted, “PM Modi has pledged to make India a developed country by 2047 when it celebrates the 100th anniversary of its independence, the realisation of Amrit Kaal.”

“Prime Minister Modi’s personal convictions about India’s role in the international system, its spiritual and civilizational roots that envisages the world as a family (Vasudhev Kutumbakam) and happiness for all (sarve bhavantu sukhinah) have been integrated into policymaking. This has helped him win the faith of the people including the Indian diaspora and this has instilled confidence in people about their own roots. This is because PM Modi believes that only a secure India that is confident of its place in the world will be able to deal with issues from a position of strength,” the Union Minister said.

Shri Yadav said that India’s soft power, including its rich cultural heritage, is playing a crucial role in its global dominance. India’s ancient traditions, such as Yoga and Ayurveda have gained worldwide popularity because of Shri Modi ji’s efforts. “The Oscar wins for Naatu Natu and The Elephant Whisperers is a big win for our soft power. Added to this is the Indian diaspora spread across the world which is fostering cultural exchanges and promoting India's values, traditions, and ideas.”

The Union Minister drew attention to the fact that ever since Shri Narendra Modi ji assumed office as the Prime Minister of India, he has not enhanced India’s position at a global level but also left a huge impact on world leaders. World leaders have heaped praise on Modi ji unequivocally.

He said, “In the last 10 years, India has built a positive sentiment in the country at all levels. Today, our youth are becoming job givers rather than job seekers.  India is number 1 in starting new startups every day. We are Number 2 in the number of startups. Number 3 in largest start-up ecosystem. Today, India has the 3rd largest number of Unicorns in the world.  In 2021, we added a Unicorn every 29 days. In 2022, we added a Unicorn in every 9 days.”

Shri Yadav highlighted the positive gains made by India in climate action by the country that reflect global leadership.

“India has shown active participation in global climate change initiatives and commitment to renewable energy. We are among the 26 countries to have shared its National Communication with the UNFCCC based on Greenhouse Gas inventory of 2019 along with Initial Adaptation Communication. India has initiated forums for climate action such as International Solar Alliance, LEAD-IT, CDRI, IRIS, Green Credit Initiative and International Big Cat Alliance. India achieved in 2020-21 the renewable energy target it had set for 2030.”

This, the Union Minister said, has been made possible due to the leadership of PM Shri Modi ji who has set sustainable development and global cooperation in climate action as his priority area.

Shri Yadav also highlighted India’s efforts in peacekeeping efforts around the world.

“The country has also provided disaster relief to countries affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. We are a leading producer of generic medicines and affordable healthcare solutions. The country is also developing new technologies for healthcare, such as telemedicine and artificial intelligence. We have been sending aid to countries in the middle or violent conflicts or wars as a humanitarian duty.”

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MJPS/NSK