World eyes on India now: Modi on I-Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that India's stature in the world has risen as it is now viewed with hope and expectation unlike in the past when it was seen with skepticism.

In his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the prime minister said all eyes of the world are on India now, and small and big things happening in the country are closely monitored globally.

He said the value of the Indian passport has increased and this has infused new confidence and energy in every citizen to move forward.

He said there was a time when the world used to call India's economy as risky, and the same people and institutions are now viewing it with confidence and saying that reform momentum has been strengthening the country's fundamentals.

Modi said there was a time when the world used to talk of 'red tape', but today they talk of 'red carpet'. He noted that India has reached 100th position in the 'ease of doing business' ranking.

"In the global economy's time period, the entire world is watching every thing that India does and is watching it with hope and expectation. That is why the world sees small and big things very deeply," he said.

"Today, the entire world is looking at our achievements with pride," he said.

Modi said there was a time when India for the world meant "policy paralysis" and "delayed reforms". But today, India is being discussed for "reform, perform and transform", he said, adding that the country was now seen by the world as a multi-trillion dollar destination.

"There was a time when the world counted India among the 'fragile five'. However, today the world has been saying that India has become the destination for multi-trillion dollar investment," he said.

The prime minister cited International Monetary Forum's recent report that said India's economy is an elephant that's starting to run. "...the sleeping elephant has woken up and has started to run," Modi said.

Economists and institutions across the world have observed that for the next three decades, India will contribute momentum to the global economic strength.

"India's stature has increased at the international forums, India has voiced its opinions strongly on such forums.

"Earlier India was awaiting membership of various international bodies. Now innumerable institutions have come forward to give its membership to India. India has become a hope for all the other countries as far as global warming is concerned. International Solar Alliance is being welcomed throughout the world," he said.

"India is the land of reform, perform and transform. The eyes of the world are on us," he said.