THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JANUARY 29,
2026
India’s
democracy and demography today stand as a powerful beacon of hope for the
world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday as he addressed the media
ahead of the commencement of the Budget Session 2026 at the Parliament
premises, underlining the nation’s growing confidence, youthful aspirations and
global relevance at the start of a defining phase in its journey.
The Prime
Minister said the President’s address to Parliament reflected the collective
confidence of 140 crore citizens, captured the spirit of their hard work and
gave a clear voice to the aspirations of India’s youth. He noted that the
President had outlined several guiding points at the very outset of the session
and of the year 2026, adding that such expectations, expressed in simple yet
powerful terms by the Head of State, would be taken seriously by all Members of
Parliament, making this Budget Session especially significant.
Modi
emphasised that this session marks the completion of the first quarter of the
21st century and the beginning of the second, a moment he described as historic
and decisive. He said the next 25 years would be crucial in realising the
vision of a developed India by 2047, and the forthcoming budget would be the
first of this new quarter, setting the direction for decades to come. He also
highlighted a proud parliamentary milestone, noting that Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman, the country’s first woman Finance Minister, would be
presenting the Union Budget for the ninth consecutive time.
Describing
the beginning of the year as highly positive, the Prime Minister said a
confident India was emerging as a ray of hope and a centre of attraction for
the world. He pointed to the conclusion of the India–European Union Free Trade
Agreement at the start of this quarter as a reflection of the bright future
awaiting India’s youth. Calling it free trade for an ambitious India, for
aspirational youth and for an Atmanirbhar Bharat, Modi said Indian
manufacturers now have access to a vast market across 27 EU nations, with
Indian goods poised to reach global consumers at lower costs.
At the same
time, he cautioned industry leaders against complacency, urging them to focus
sharply on quality. He said entering open global markets with world-class
products would not only bring profits but also win trust and goodwill, creating
a lasting impact for decades. He stressed that brands aligned with the nation’s
brand would gain new prestige on the global stage. According to the Prime
Minister, the agreement opens unprecedented opportunities for fishermen,
farmers, youth and service sector professionals eager to explore international
avenues, marking a decisive step towards a confident, competitive and
productive India.
Turning to
the broader governance approach, Modi said that while national attention
naturally centres on the Budget, the identity of his government has
consistently been defined by Reform, Perform and Transform. He remarked that
the country is now moving swiftly on the “Reform Express” and thanked Members
of Parliament for contributing positive energy to this journey. He said India
is steadily shifting from long-pending problems to long-term solutions that
create predictability and strengthen global trust.
The Prime
Minister reiterated that every decision taken for national progress remains
human-centric. He said India would compete with technology, absorb it and
harness its power, but would never compromise on systems that put people first.
Even critics, he noted, acknowledge the government’s emphasis on last-mile
delivery, ensuring that schemes touch lives rather than remain confined to
files. This approach, he added, would continue with the next generation of
reforms.
Reaffirming
his central message, Modi said India’s democracy and demography today represent
a great hope for the world. From the temple of democracy, he said, India has
the opportunity to send a strong global message of commitment to democratic
values and respect for decisions taken through democratic processes — messages
that are being welcomed internationally. He stressed that the present time
calls for solutions rather than disruption, and resolutions rather than
obstacles, urging all Members of Parliament to work together to accelerate the
era of solutions, empower decision-making and advance last-mile delivery. He
concluded by extending his heartfelt thanks and best wishes to all.