World perception of India changing fast: BJP chief

Claiming that India was being praised in nations Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited during the last six months, BJP president Amit Shah Saturday said the country's perception was changing fast in the world.

"Perception about India is changing fast in the world. India is being praised in countries where Modi visited over the last few months. Our relations with all countries are improving and there is respect for India across the world," Shah told reporters here.

During the first seven months of his tenure since assuming office May 27, Modi visited Japan, Brazil, the US, Australia and neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

"The United Nations declaring June 21 as the International Yoga Day is a glorious achievement for India and its credit goes to Modi, who proposed it for the first time during his address to the UN General Assembly Sept 27. About 170 countries endorsed the declaration, which is an honour for 125 crore Indians," Shah said.

Noting that the NDA government had taken strong steps in theWorld Trade Organisation to protect interests of farmers and the poor in developing countries, Shah said India had succeeded in ensuring minimum support price to farmers on foodgrains

Listing out the various achievements of the NDA government during the first seven months of its tenure, Shah said by ushering good governance, the policy paralysis of the previous UPA government was removed and the decision-making process was hastened.

"Under the dynamic leadership of Modi, the economy is moving on the path of high growth rate after emerging out of slowdown, as evident from 5.5 percent GDP growth rate in the first half of 2014-15 as against 4.9 percent in first half of previous fiscal under the UPA government," he said.

He also said the "progressive policies and decisions" of the NDA government had brought down prices over the months.