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By:

Devendra Fadnavis

9 June 2026 at 5:42:34 pm

Trust, Development and India’s Rise

The story of India’s rise in the last decade has been marked by economic reform, infrastructure expansion and renewed national confidence When a public journey completes twelve years, it is often seen as a significant milestone marked by perseverance, dedication and an unwavering commitment to a larger goal. Therefore, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes twelve years of leadership, this period must be assessed through the lens of sustained effort, transformative governance and...

Trust, Development and India’s Rise

The story of India’s rise in the last decade has been marked by economic reform, infrastructure expansion and renewed national confidence When a public journey completes twelve years, it is often seen as a significant milestone marked by perseverance, dedication and an unwavering commitment to a larger goal. Therefore, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes twelve years of leadership, this period must be assessed through the lens of sustained effort, transformative governance and measurable outcomes. Viewed from this perspective, these years represent a remarkable era of service, commitment and good governance. Every enduring journey has two dimensions. When it is undertaken for the welfare of society, its benefits ultimately reach society itself and positively impact diverse sections of the population. The outcomes of Prime Minister Modi’s efforts are visible in the unprecedented transformation witnessed in the lives of ordinary citizens. From 2014 to 2026, his twelve-year tenure has emerged as a defining phase in India's contemporary history. It has not merely been a period of political leadership, but a unique confluence of trust, development, good governance, cultural resurgence and public welfare. Global Leader Today marks another significant milestone. As an elected Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has completed 4,399 consecutive days in office, surpassing the record set by Jawaharlal Nehru. Some may argue that comparisons between Nehru and Modi are inappropriate. However, when Nehru assumed office, there was a widespread perception that he had no political alternative. By contrast, when Modi became Prime Minister, Indian democracy had matured considerably. Citizens understood both the power and significance of their vote. They were aware of their aspirations and expectations, and recognised that governments exist to serve public welfare. It was under these circumstances that Modi assumed office in 2014. The electorate entrusted him with responsibilities that successive Congress governments had failed to fulfil over five decades. Accepting that challenge, he articulated the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” which later evolved into “Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.” After securing victories in 2014, 2019 and 2024, he today stands at the forefront of India’s emergence as a global leader. The mandate of 2024, following the decisive verdicts of 2014 and 2019, was not merely an electoral victory. It represented a renewed endorsement of development, good governance and stable leadership. Modi became the first leader since 1962 to serve a third consecutive term as Prime Minister. At a time when many democracies across the world are grappling with political instability, India chose continuity, stability and decisive governance. Over the past decade, the country has strengthened its position through economic reforms, social transformation, infrastructure development, national security and an assertive foreign policy. The more than twenty-four highest civilian honours conferred upon him by nations around the world reflect this growing global recognition. This has not been the journey of a single leader alone; it has been a collective national endeavour. As a result, India’s economy has expanded from approximately $2 trillion to $4.18 trillion, making it the world’s fourth-largest economy. Economic prosperity is indispensable for achieving social justice. Modi not only recognised this reality but also worked consistently to realise it. Initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat instilled confidence among Indians and enhanced global trust in Indian products. Today, demand for indigenous defence equipment has risen so sharply that projected production for the next decade may struggle to meet requirements. This reflects the true strength of a self-reliant India. Historic Achievements One of the government’s historic achievements has been the substantial reduction of Left-Wing Extremism across twelve affected states. Regions that remained untouched by development for decades are now witnessing tangible progress. Nearly 20 crore people had long lived under the shadow of fear and deprivation. Naxalism stalled development and adversely affected thousands of young lives. Today, the situation is changing. Industrial projects, including steel plants, are being established in areas such as Gadchiroli. Universities, medical colleges and major educational institutions are being set up. The voice of development is gradually replacing the sound of conflict. Over the last twelve years, India has witnessed unprecedented growth in infrastructure development. The national highway network has expanded from approximately 91,000 kilometres to nearly 1.46 lakh kilometres. Highways are being constructed at an average pace of 34 kilometres per day. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, millions of kilometres of rural roads have transformed the lives of farmers, students and rural communities. Railway electrification has accelerated significantly, while initiatives such as Vande Bharat Express and the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme have redefined the image of Indian Railways. The country’s metro network has grown from 248 kilometres to more than 1,095 kilometres. The Modi government has placed the farmer at the centre of the development agenda. Through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, direct financial assistance has been extended to more than 11 crore farmers. Significantly, the first file cleared during the government’s third term pertained to farmer welfare, underscoring this priority. Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, the “Per Drop More Crop” initiative has brought millions of hectares under micro-irrigation. Agricultural output has reached record levels, and India has emerged as the world’s largest producer of milk. Through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, free food grains have been provided to 81 crore citizens. More than four crore families have received permanent homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The Ujjwala scheme has enabled over eleven crore women to access LPG connections. Under Ayushman Bharat, millions of citizens have benefited from free health insurance coverage. The Jal Jeevan Mission has ensured access to clean drinking water for more than sixteen crore households. Women’s empowerment has occupied a central place in government policy. Women account for a significant share of Jan Dhan account holders. The Lakhpati Didi initiative has helped millions of women achieve greater economic independence. Programmes such as Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, maternity benefits, the strengthening of self-help groups and the growing participation of women in the armed forces have advanced the vision of women-led development. Digital Transformation India has also scripted a new chapter in digital transformation. Through the JAM trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile—lakhs of crores of rupees have been transferred directly to beneficiaries. India has emerged as a global leader in UPI transactions. BharatNet has connected lakhs of gram panchayats through optical fibre networks. Digital governance, faceless taxation and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) have enhanced transparency and efficiency in public administration. India today engages with the world on the basis of equality and mutual respect. The nation seeks trade, investment and technology, but without compromising its dignity or self-respect. During the Russia–Ukraine conflict, India demonstrated its ability to pursue an independent foreign policy, placing national interests above external pressures. Today, India is the world’s fourth-largest economy. Initiatives such as Make in India, Startup India and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme have accelerated manufacturing growth. India has become the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer. Electronics production has increased manifold. Significant investments have been attracted for semiconductor manufacturing, and the country is rapidly positioning itself as a global manufacturing hub. Encouraged by policy support, India’s startup ecosystem has grown to more than two lakh startups and hundreds of unicorns. During these twelve years, India has also reaffirmed its cultural identity with renewed confidence. The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok and the redevelopment of Kedarnath have infused new energy into the nation’s spiritual consciousness. Modi, who began his public life by paying homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has also advanced initiatives such as the Panchteerth dedicated to Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the observance of Birsa Munda Jayanti as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the Statue of Unity honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, commemorative initiatives for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Kartavya Path and the new Parliament building—each symbolising national pride and identity. Maharashtra has been among the principal beneficiaries of this development trajectory. Prime Minister Modi has extended support to the state in addressing its major developmental needs and challenges. From facilitating land for the Indu Mill Memorial to supporting projects such as the Amravati Textile Park, Vadhvan Port, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Atal Setu, the Coastal Road and metro rail networks, his backing has been instrumental in advancing key infrastructure initiatives. Today, the world no longer views India merely as a large market. It increasingly recognises India as a reliable, responsible nation capable of contributing solutions to global challenges. India stands confidently on the world stage. These twelve years have laid a strong foundation for the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The journey of trust, development and people’s participation is poised to gather even greater momentum in the years ahead—a belief shared by millions of Indians. (The writer is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.)

Trading Up Southwards

India’s free-trade pact with New Zealand is less about tariffs than about anchoring New Delhi more firmly in an unsettled Indo-Pacific.

India’s recently concluded free-trade agreement (FTA) with New Zealand, negotiated with unusual speed and diplomatic intent, marks another step in India’s quiet but consequential reorientation towards the Indo-Pacific. After deals with Australia and Britain, this pact extends India’s commercial arc deeper into the Pacific’s southern reaches, binding economics to strategy at a moment when global trade is fragmenting and geopolitics is intruding into supply chains.


By this pact, New Zealand will eliminate duties on virtually all Indian exports, offering immediate zero-duty access for labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, engineering goods and jewellery. In return, India will lower tariffs on selected New Zealand exports including wool, coal, seafood and niche agricultural products while carefully shielding its politically sensitive dairy and farm sectors. Both sides have promised to double bilateral trade within five years and to channel long-term investment flows, particularly into Indian manufacturing and services.


Deeper Significance

Yet to read the pact narrowly is to miss its deeper significance. This agreement is part of India’s broader attempt to reposition itself as a credible economic pole in the Indo-Pacific and an alternative partner for middle powers unsettled by America’s tariff tantrums and wary of China’s economic coercion. New Zealand, a small but sophisticated economy with deep ties to Western markets and Asia alike, fits neatly into this design as it is commercially open, strategically trusted, and unburdened by historical baggage.


Trade, in this context, becomes diplomacy by other means. Since America’s turn towards protectionism under Donald Trump, many countries have sought diversification rather than dependence. As Europe looks East and the Pacific hedges, India has tried to seize this moment by replacing its once-defensive trade posture with selective openness.


The Commerce Ministry led by Piyush Goyal has pursued a ‘trusted partners’ strategy with fewer deals, faster negotiations and clearer red lines. The nine-month sprint to conclude talks with Wellington reflects this new pragmatism.


Services, which is India’s strength, loom large in the pact as the agreement opens pathways for cooperation in information technology, artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure and education. India’s experience with platforms such as digital health systems, e-governance tools and AI-enabled language technologies offers New Zealand an inexpensive route to modernisation. For India, the payoff lies in embedding itself in the value chains of advanced economies.


A new visa pathway for Indian professionals, particularly in IT, engineering and healthcare is a case in point. As Europe ages and the Pacific economies confront skills shortages, India has positioned itself as the world’s skills reservoir. The agreement also allows for reciprocal movement, enabling New Zealand specialists in agriculture and dairy technology to work in India, transferring know-how without threatening domestic farmers.


This caution around agriculture is politically telling as India’s trade liberalisation today remains calibrated and not doctrinaire. By excluding sensitive dairy imports and maintaining tariff walls where livelihoods are at stake, New Delhi has signalled that globalisation will proceed on its terms. This balancing act of opening outward while protecting inward is central to the Modi government’s economic nationalism, and one reason India’s trade diplomacy has avoided the domestic backlash seen elsewhere.


The pact’s softer dimensions are no less deliberate. People-to-people ties receive unusual prominence. Nearly 300,000 people of Indian origin now live in New Zealand, shaping its food habits, cultural rhythms and labour market. Cricket, too, is pressed into service as diplomacy’s unlikely handmaiden, reinforcing familiarity where treaties alone cannot.


Strategically, the deal fits into a larger Indo-Pacific jigsaw. India has stayed out of mega trade blocs such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), wary of Chinese dominance. It has built a latticework of bilateral agreements with like-minded states like Australia, Japan, Britain and now New Zealand in an attempt to create resilience without being entangled. This multi-alignment through markets mirrors India’s broader foreign policy of avoiding camps but deepening its partnerships.


The India–New Zealand FTA will not transform global commerce. Its volumes are modest and its ambitions are measured. But in an era of weaponised trade and geopolitical mistrust, modesty is a virtue. The agreement signals that India is open, but selective and ambitious, but anchored in domestic realities. Above all, it shows that India now sees trade not as a concession extracted under pressure, but as an instrument of power patiently deployed.


(The writer is a foreign affairs expert. Views personal.)


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