Tv10 Punjab
National Desk
5 February
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday replied to the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha and spoke at length about India’s changing role in the world. He said that the world is moving towards a new global order and that India has emerged as a strong and confident voice of the “Global South”.
The Prime Minister began his reply amid protests by opposition parties. During the ongoing disruptions in the Lok Sabha, opposition members were raising slogans demanding that the Leader of the Opposition be allowed to speak. In the Rajya Sabha, when opposition leaders continued sloganeering, Prime Minister Modi took a light but sharp dig at Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, suggesting that he could continue raising slogans while sitting. Following this remark, opposition members staged a walkout from the House.
Addressing the House after the walkout, Prime Minister Modi said that the world has been undergoing major changes since the Covid-19 pandemic. He explained that after the Second World War, a particular global system was established, but that system is now changing. According to him, it is clear that the world is heading towards a new global order, and if one analyses the situation independently and honestly, the global tilt is moving in India’s favour.
The Prime Minister highlighted that today the world is actively talking about the “Global South”, which refers to developing and emerging nations. He said India has become a strong and credible voice for these countries on global platforms. He pointed out that India is no longer seen as a passive participant but as a country that can represent the concerns, aspirations, and interests of developing nations.
Prime Minister Modi also spoke about India’s growing economic engagement with the world. He mentioned that India is signing future-ready trade agreements with many countries. In recent times, India has entered into nine major trade agreements, which he described as an important achievement. Among these, he said, the agreement with the European Union is one of the most significant. These trade deals, he added, will strengthen India’s economy and create new opportunities for growth.
Taking aim at the opposition for walking out, Prime Minister Modi said that they may have left the House because they were tired, but one day they would have to answer the nation. He questioned how India had earlier been brought to a stage where no country was willing to come forward to sign trade agreements with it. Without naming individuals directly, he blamed previous Congress-led governments for damaging India’s global image.
He further said that today the entire world is praising the India–United States trade agreement. According to him, this agreement will prove especially beneficial for Indian youth by creating jobs, boosting innovation, and opening new global opportunities.
Concluding his remarks, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India is entering a new era of global leadership. With growing international trust, strong diplomacy, and economic partnerships, he said India is well-positioned to play a key role in shaping the future global order.