The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday (May 23, 2025) asserted that India is steadily positioning itself as a global leader through progress in three critical areas – economic strength, military and defence capabilities, and sustained international engagement.
“Global leadership is attainable through three critical pillars: a robust economy, strong defence and military capabilities, and intense global engagement. India has made substantial progress in all three areas: positioning itself as a rising global leader,” BJP spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal said at a press conference in New Delhi.
Highlighting the country’s economic trajectory under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Mr. Agarwal stated that India had witnessed “unprecedented economic progress” over the past 11 years. He pointed out that India’s current inflation rate was among the lowest globally at 3.2%, remaining well within the Reserve Bank of India’s target range. “The fiscal deficit is also under control. In contrast to reports from the United States indicating a concerning rise in their fiscal deficit, India’s fiscal balance remains aligned with its set targets,” he added.
The BJP leader said India’s foreign exchange reserves were nearing $700 billion and described the country as a top destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). “India today is attracting the highest investment globally,” he claimed.
Speaking on defence, Mr. Agarwal cited recent military operations and indigenous defence production as markers of strategic capability. “Recent actions by the Indian armed forces, including Operation ‘Sindoor’, and India’s firm stance during confrontations with Pakistan, have established the country’s strong defence capabilities on the global stage,” he said. Public sector undertakings like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, he noted, had full order books for the coming years, aided by platforms such as the BrahMos missile and the Tejas fighter jet.
On the diplomatic front, Mr. Agarwal said India’s global image had been bolstered by initiatives such as the G20 Summit hosted in New Delhi, and Prime Minister Modi’s outreach during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “PM Narendra Modi’s assertive message: ‘this is not an era of war’ echoed globally, urging both nations to resolve their issues through dialogue. His call for peace received significant international praise and support,” he said.
He also pointed to India’s active participation in multilateral forums such as QUAD, the World Economic Forum, and BRICS, and its strengthening ties with OECD, G7, and G20 nations. “In the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, where China is also a member, India has maintained its relationships in a spirit of cooperation,” he added.
Published – May 23, 2025 10:09 pm IST
