Once in Fragile Five, now fastest-growing economy in 12 years: PM touts Viksit India

Delivering his 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the iconic Mughal-era fort, PM Modi said India's progress was driven by the collective efforts and resolve of its 140 crore people. He asserted that "it is now impossible to come in the way of the resolve of 140 crore Indians".Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Saturday morning.“India was once counted among the ‘Fragile Five’, but has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing major economy in just 12 years,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Saturday, highlighting India’s rapid economic transformation.Delivering his 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the iconic Mughal-era fort, PM Modi said India’s progress was driven by the collective efforts and resolve of its 140 crore people. He asserted that “it is now impossible to come in the way of the resolve of 140 crore Indians”.“We were once counted among the ‘Fragile Five’. However, India has, within just 12 years, emerged as the world’s fastest-growing major economy,” he said, adding that India’s achievements demonstrated that the resolve to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047 could not remain unfulfilled.The Prime Minister said India had made significant strides across key sectors over the past 12 years. “In the last 12 years, defence production has increased by four times; production by Khadi and Gramodyog has increased five times; electronic manufacturing has grown by seven times. Mobile phone production has increased by 33 per cent, and digital transactions have grown by 100 per cent,” PM Modi said.He said India’s transformation was also visible in the expansion of basic infrastructure and welfare initiatives, citing the spread of piped drinking water, LPG connections and construction of toilets as examples of the country’s progress. PM Modi said the government’s focus on improving the lives of ordinary citizens had contributed to India’s growing confidence and development.He also called for reforms to keep pace with the aspirations of a changing India, saying the country could not progress in the 21st century while relying on laws framed in the previous century.“India cannot march forward in the 21st century by relying on laws of the previous century,” PM Modi said, making a case for continued reforms and changes in the legal and institutional framework.Reflecting on India’s journey since Independence, the Prime Minister said the country had always possessed the potential to progress rapidly but had often fallen short of its aspirations.He said the achievements of the past 12 years had demonstrated what could be accomplished when the country’s collective resolve was channelled towards development. “Our success shows that the resolve of Viksit Bharat in 2047 cannot remain unfulfilled,” he said.The Prime Minister said the country’s development journey was ultimately powered by the efforts of its people and expressed confidence that India would continue to move ahead with greater speed and determination.This is a developing story. It will be updated.- EndsPublished By: Devika BhattacharyaPublished On: Aug 15, 2026 07:50 IST