India is now entering next phase of development, country is moving fast towards becoming world's third-largest economy: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: India is becoming younger by the day and moving forward with confidence across all sectors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the Rajya Sabha. He stated that the past year marked a period of rapid progress for the country and that India is now entering the next phase of development. The Prime Minister said India has achieved major growth in the economic sector and has managed to control inflation. He added that India is moving fast towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy.

Modi said the direction of development was clearly outlined in the President’s address and stressed that the country cannot move backwards anymore. Soon after the Prime Minister began his reply speech, opposition members staged a walkout from the House.

The opposition protested from the moment Modi arrived to speak. When Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, stood up, the Chairman said he could not be allowed to speak at that time. Opposition members raised slogans demanding that the opposition leader be allowed to speak and that their voices be heard. At the same time, members of the ruling party welcomed Modi with chants of “Modi, Modi” as he continued his speech.

In his address to the Rajya Sabha, Modi also spoke about agreements with the United States and the European Union. He said there was a time when no country was willing to enter into deals with India, and efforts are now being made to change that. India is fully prepared to compete with the world, he said, adding that India has gained more credibility after the agreement with the United States.

The Lok Sabha remained disrupted on Thursday as well due to protests over not allowing Rahul Gandhi to raise issues related to a book by former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane. Amid the uproar, the motion thanking the President for her address was passed in the Lok Sabha without any discussion or reply. Following this, the Prime Minister delivered his reply speech in the Rajya Sabha.