Archive · 6 Sep 2026
At SRCC, Modi Highlights Growth, Security and India’s Global Rise
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to students at Shri Ram College of Commerce.
He returned there 13 years after giving another important speech.
Modi said India’s economy grew by 7.8 percent in the April–June quarter.
He said this happened even while wars and trade problems were affecting the world.
He compared today’s India with 2013, when he said the country faced corruption, terrorism and high inflation.
Modi also said India is safer and that Naxalism has been dismantled.
He praised young people for wanting to build companies, invent new ideas and improve farming.
He said phones made in India are now sold around the world.
He also described future goals such as an Indian space station and hosting the Olympics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Shri Ram College of Commerce’s centenary celebrations in New Delhi, 13 years after his previous speech there.
Modi said India’s 7.8% April–June growth showed economic strength despite West Asian conflict and ongoing trade disruptions.
He contrasted the “Fragile Five” label associated with 2014 with India’s current status as the fastest-growing major economy.
Modi said India had improved security, reduced Naxalism and strengthened its response to threats from Pakistan.
He highlighted Made in India mobile-phone exports, student ambitions, a proposed Indian space station and future Olympic hosting.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking to students, alumni and guests of Shri Ram College of Commerce.
- What
- Modi delivered a speech highlighting India’s economic growth, security improvements, manufacturing progress and future ambitions, while criticizing opponents of his government’s record.
- When
- At SRCC’s centenary celebrations, 13 years after his previous speech there; the cited 7.8% growth figure covers the April–June quarter.
- Where
- Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, New Delhi.
- Why
- To present his assessment of India’s progress and respond to critics who, he said, continued to view the country negatively.
Modi’s Assessment
Critics’ View as Described by Modi
Economic performance
Modi’s Assessment
Modi said India has moved from the “Fragile Five” label to being the fastest-growing major economy, with 7.8% growth achieved despite global disruptions.
Critics’ View as Described by Modi
Modi said some critics still view India as weak or see the economic glass as half empty, and continue to question or mock his government’s claims.
Government initiatives
Modi’s Assessment
Modi said initiatives such as Make in India have gained brand value, with Indian-made smartphones reaching markets worldwide.
Critics’ View as Described by Modi
Modi said critics in the relevant ecosystem initially considered Make in India impossible and still mock the initiative.
National security
Modi’s Assessment
Modi said terrorism had been checked, Naxalism dismantled, peace had improved from Jammu and Kashmir to the Northeast, and the Army could strike back across the border.
Critics’ View as Described by Modi
The article does not provide specific counterclaims from critics, but Modi said opponents were frustrated by the country’s security and national progress.
- Speaker
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Venue
- Shri Ram College of Commerce, New Delhi
- Economic growth
- 7.8% for the April–June quarter, according to Modi
- Earlier label
- India was described as part of the “Fragile Five” in 2014
- Mobile-phone exports
- Modi said India now exports mobile phones worth more than ₹2.5 lakh crore
- Security claims
- Modi said Naxalism had been dismantled and India would respond to Pakistani misdeeds on Pakistani soil
- Future goals
- An Indian space station and hosting an Olympics that would impress the world