India on way to becoming third-biggest economy: PM Modi rebutting Trump’s 'dead economy' remark

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday delivered a strong message of economic resilience and national pride, directly addressing US President Donald Trump’s recent ‘dead economy’ remark. Speaking at a rally in his constituency of Varanasi, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that India is on a definitive path to becoming the world’s third-largest economy, despite what he called an "atmosphere of global instability" and recent tariff hikes.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came just days after Trump’s social media post where he described India and Russia as “dead economies” while announcing a 25% tariff on Indian goods. Countering this, Modi emphasized the need for India to remain vigilant about its economic interests and made a powerful pitch for 'swadeshi' products. "Those who want the best for the country... should leave their differences aside and instil a resolution for 'swadeshi' products," he urged, calling on every citizen to be "vocal for local."

Beyond the economic discourse, PM Modi also issued a stern warning to Pakistan, stating that any future act of terror would be met with a decisive response. He referred to "Operation Sindoor" as an example of India's indigenous defence capabilities and criticized the Opposition, specifically the Congress and Samajwadi Party, for allegedly showing sympathy for Pakistan's pain and questioning the military action. The Prime Minister's multi-faceted address combined a vision for economic self-reliance with a firm stance on national security.