Modi Era: India's Global Stature and Self-Reliance Soar, Assert BJP Leaders

Jalgaon, Maharashtra – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have lauded the Narendra Modi-led central government for ushering in a period of unprecedented development and significantly enhancing India's global influence over the last 12 years. Addressing a press conference at the BJP office in Jalgaon, Union Minister of State Raksha Khadse stated that the years from 2014 to 2026 have been characterized by continuous development, robust infrastructure growth, and comprehensive welfare initiatives designed to improve the lives of citizens across the nation.

Khadse emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a strong, prosperous, and secure India is steadily becoming a reality. She elaborated on various flagship schemes that have contributed to this transformative journey. Among these, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has brought crores of citizens into the formal banking system, while programs like Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have positively impacted the living standards of ordinary people.

Highlighting efforts for farmer welfare, Khadse mentioned the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, which provides direct financial assistance, and the Kisan Credit Card scheme, offering easy loans to farmers. For women's empowerment, schemes such as Lakhpati Didi and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana have played a crucial role.

Khadse further underscored the massive strides made in infrastructure development, noting the extensive expansion of national highways, rural roads, railway modernization, the introduction of Vande Bharat Express and Metro services, and the establishment of new airports. Digital connectivity, she added, has also significantly accelerated the nation's progress.

Beyond domestic achievements, Khadse pointed to India's growing prominence on the global stage, citing the country's G-20 presidency, the international recognition of Yoga Day, and strengthened diplomatic ties with various nations as evidence of India's distinct global identity. She also referenced initiatives aimed at preserving cultural heritage and boosting national pride, including the renaming of Rajpath to Kartavya Path, the construction of the Statue of Unity, the New Parliament building, and the National War Memorial.

Echoing this sentiment, BJP MLA Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar, speaking in Latur, affirmed that the Narendra Modi government has brought about transformative changes that have elevated India's global standing.

The broader BJP narrative reinforces these claims, describing the period from 2014 to 2026 as a transformative era marked by development, good governance, national confidence, and public welfare. Party leaders state that the government's approach has been guided by the principle of 'Sankalp Se Siddhi' (from resolve to achievement), which they believe has reshaped India's economic, social, and geopolitical landscape. They contend that Prime Minister Modi inherited a nation grappling with policy paralysis and corruption, but over the past 12 years, India has emerged as a more confident and assertive nation with growing global influence and a stronger economic foundation.

The government's infrastructure push is frequently highlighted as a defining achievement. BJP leaders point to the construction of over 12 crore household toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission, universal village electrification, a sevenfold expansion of the expressway network, and an increase in the number of airports from 74 in 2014 to 165. The party also emphasizes women's empowerment, citing initiatives that have created more than three crore 'Lakhpati Didis' through self-help groups and rural livelihood programs, indicating a shift from 'women's development' to 'women-led development'.

Significant progress is also claimed in poverty alleviation and financial inclusion. According to figures cited by the BJP, approximately 25 crore people have moved above the poverty line during this period. Major welfare initiatives include the construction of four crore permanent houses, health insurance coverage for over 44 crore beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat, and collateral-free loans worth about ₹40 lakh crore sanctioned through the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. The Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) framework and the rapid expansion of digital payments are credited with driving financial inclusion and transparency.

In terms of global influence, India's rise to become the fifth-largest economy by 2025, surpassing the UK and France, is often cited. The 'Make in India' campaign, launched in 2014, is reported to have attracted substantial foreign investment. Furthermore, India's active role in international forums, including hosting the G20 in 2023 and championing the voice of the Global South, underscores its elevated diplomatic standing. The nation's push towards self-reliance in defense, with 70% of defense gear reportedly made locally by 2024, also signifies its growing strategic capability.

Collectively, BJP leaders assert that the Modi government's 12-year tenure marks a comprehensive effort to realize the concept of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India), moving the nation rapidly towards self-reliance, good governance, and inclusive development, bolstered by the public's trust.