India’s Rise: How Economic Growth, Digital Innovation, and Global Diplomacy Are Shaping Its Future

India is rising faster than ever before! From digital payments on every street corner to record-breaking infrastructure growth, our nation sets new global standards. Want to know how India is creating history? Please keep reading to discover the incredible transformations shaping our future!

India has been on an incredible journey of growth, digital progress, and global leadership. You can see this transformation everywhere, even in the streets of India. I saw street vendors, rickshaws, and even cobblers using QR codes for payments. Every customer scanned the code to pay. This shows how far India has come, with financial inclusion, mobile phones, and internet access making life easier for everyone. India is also improving its infrastructure.

Airports are growing, highways are expanding, and the number of airports has doubled since 2014. Roads are being built faster, with 38 kilometers of highway constructed every day. Seaports have grown too, helping to connect India with the world. The government has also done a great job supporting people. Over 110 million new gas connections have been provided, 470 million bank accounts opened, and 220 million people now have insurance. All of this is aimed at empowering individuals, not just giving them money.

Incomes in India have doubled in recent years, from ?86,000 in 2014 to ?1.72 lakh today. Inflation has gone down too, from over 8% to around 6%, even during tough global times. Foreign investment and trade are at their highest levels, and the new tax system (GST) has made things easier, increasing tax collections and bringing the entire country together under one market.

On the world stage, India is now a major player. We are part of important global groups like the Quad, SCO, BRICS, and G7. India’s balanced approach in global conflicts, like the Russia-Ukraine war, shows our focus on protecting national interests. Instead of picking sides, India works to solve problems.

India’s relationships with its neighbors are stronger too. We provided aid to Sri Lanka without expecting anything in return, and we’ve built closer ties with Nepal and Bhutan. Many countries are now using India’s online payment systems, and Indian culture is being shared with the world through many things.

Domestically, India has made big changes in Kashmir by removing Article 370, which has improved both security and the economy. Tourism is at an all-time high in Kashmir, and foreign investments have started flowing in. Terror attacks have also gone down significantly. There have been concerns about intolerance, but facts show a different story.

A 2021 survey found that 89% of Muslims and Christians in India feel free to practice their religion. The government has increased scholarships for Muslim students, and the Haj quota has also gone up. The removal of triple talaq is another big step towards gender equality. India has proven the critics wrong and is creating its path to success. As the world’s largest democracy, we continue to grow, holding free and fair elections, improving lives, and respecting diversity.

Since 2014, 140 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and the nation continues to move forward with confidence. India is trusted and respected by leaders around the world, and its growth story is just getting started. India’s stance against Chinese expansionism is backed by the global community. Nations in the Global South look to India for leadership, while countries in the Global North seek partnerships with India. This balanced approach is a sign of strong diplomacy. When a country is both loved and respected, but more importantly, trusted by all, it shows true strength in statecraft.

India proved its reliability during the COVID-19 crisis, stepping up when the world seemed to forget about morals and global cooperation. India sent millions of vaccines to around 100 countries, showing its commitment to global health. This goodwill was evident when the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea touched Prime Minister Modi's feet upon his arrival, a gesture not just of personal respect, but a profound expression of gratitude on behalf of an entire nation.

The current government addressed the issue of Kashmir by revoking Article 370, and today, Kashmir’s economy is flourishing. The region has seen record numbers of tourists, with 1.8 crore visiting this year, the highest in Indian history. Additionally, Kashmir received its first-ever foreign direct investment from a company in the UAE. However, the improvements go beyond just finances. Security in the valley has significantly improved, with terror attacks nearly disappearing in recent years. Both the economy and security are much better, and this is a correction of historical wrongs imposed on India.

Now, let's talk about the claims of intolerance often raised by the opposition. It’s easy to highlight isolated incidents and try to paint the entire country as intolerant. However, sporadic incidents do not represent India, its leadership, or its policies. The real measure of a government’s intent lies in its actions. For example, during Prime Minister Modi’s first term, more Muslim students were awarded scholarships than under the previous government. An additional two million Muslim students received scholarships. If the intent was to marginalize them, why would the government increase scholarships? India is proving that it can grow stronger while staying true to its values of unity, diversity, and resilience. The future looks bright, and this is just the beginning of India’s incredible story.

I got these valuable insights and stats from a brilliant speech by the strong and intelligent Palki Sharma. You can watch her video here. Truly inspiring and a must-watch to understand India's journey better!