India continues to move ahead as world’s fastest-growing major economy: Prez

Op Sindoor sent strong message to terror elements, their backers’

New Delhi, Aug 14 : Highlighting India’s economic resilience, President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the country continues to move ahead as the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with its growth rate projected to be more than double the global average.

Addressing the nation on the eve of the 80th Independence Day, President Murmu noted that warfare and instability prevailing in several parts of the world are affecting every country.

She emphasised that despite such trying circumstances, initiatives like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ (Self-Reliant India initiative) have further strengthened the bedrock of the country’s economic progress and national security.

The President’s remarks on global turmoil come at a time when the crisis in the Middle East, marked by expanding regional conflicts, military instability, and heightened maritime security risks across crucial shipping corridors, continues to disrupt global energy supply chains and inflate trade costs worldwide.

Highlighting India’s commitment to sustainable growth, she said that while advancing on the path of modern development, the country is playing a leading role at the global level in protecting the environment.

She added that India has achieved several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targetted for 2030 ahead of schedule, with the development of renewable energy gaining unprecedented momentum over the past few years.

Highlighting the country’s technological and physical transformation, the President said India has developed the world’s largest and most advanced digital infrastructure, with digital payments now becoming commonplace even among street vendors and in small rural shops.

She said that India currently accounts for more than half of the world’s real-time digital transactions, adding that the collective efforts of the people and the government have presented a model digital revolution to the global community.

Technology, she said, has enabled the government to deliver the benefits of welfare schemes directly to citizens in a transparent manner.

The President also spoke about an unprecedented expansion across highways, waterways, railways, and airways over recent years and said this rapid development is creating new business opportunities, generating employment, and significantly boosting investor confidence across the country.

President Droupadi Murmu lauded the “unmatched valour” of the Indian Armed Forces, stating that Operation Sindoor demonstrated the country’s capability to execute precision counter-terror operations and sent a firm message that terror elements and their backers will face consequences regardless of where they hide.

“On the 26th of July, we observed Kargil Vijay Diwas. Earlier, on the 7th of May, we commemorated the completion of one year since the launch of Operation Sindoor. We remembered the unmatched valour of our Armed Forces. That historic operation against terrorism demonstrated the capability of the Indian Armed Forces to act with precision,” the President said.

She said that the operation delivered an unequivocal warning. “It sent a clear and firm message to terrorists and those who support them, that no matter where they hide, they will have to face the consequences of their actions.”

India launched an air strike deep inside Pakistan and its occupied Jammu and Kashmir targetting bases of banned Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba terror groups in May last year.

This was in retaliation to the killing of 26 people, mainly tourists, in Pahalgam. During Operation Sindoor, India destroyed several bases of terrorist groups.

The President highlighted the strategic measures accompanying the counter-terror posture, describing the decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with the nation harbouring terror networks as a “decisive step in the interest of our nation, especially the farmers.”

Referring to internal security, the President termed the eradication of Naxalism a monumental achievement for the country after decades of struggle.

“For decades, Naxalism posed a serious challenge to the nation. Making India Naxal free is a major achievement. Today, enthusiasm prevails in the areas once affected by Naxalism,” she said, pointing to all-inclusive development efforts and active local participation in initiatives like the Bastar Olympics and the Bastar Pandum festival.