NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 29 attended the Annual National Cadet Corps (NCC) PM Rally at the Cariappa Parade Ground in the national capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the recently finalised India-European Union Free Trade Agreement as a “historic” and “game-changer” deal, saying it will create countless opportunities for the country’s youth. Modi also underlined the pact’s potential to benefit startups, the creative economy, research, education, and professional services, calling FTA a “freedom to aspire.”
“A historic free trade agreement has been reached between India and the European Union. Before this, India had also signed free trade agreements with countries such as Oman, New Zealand, the UK, the UAE, Australia, and Mauritius. All these agreements are going to create countless opportunities for millions of our young people. Today, the whole world is looking at the youth of India with great confidence, and the reason for this global confidence is their skills and values,” he said.
“The agreement that has been reached with the European Union is being hailed by the world as the mother of all deals. It is being described as a game-changer deal for the world. This FTA is your freedom to aspire. This agreement has been made between India and the European Union, which comprises twenty-seven countries. This will benefit Indian startups. Access to funding and the innovation ecosystem for Indian startups will become easier. This agreement will also greatly benefit our creative economy, including film, gaming, fashion, digital content, music, and design, and will create countless new opportunities for India’s youth, from research and education to IT and other professional services…Under this agreement, tariffs on more than 99 per cent of India’s exports will be either zero or very low,” he added.
Addressing a gathering of more than 2,400 cadets from across the country, the Prime Minister emphasised the role of the younger generation in shaping the nation’s future. The Prime Minister shared his personal connection with the NCC, saying, “When I was in the NCC, my sense of ‘Nation First’ was also strengthened in the same way. And today, seeing you all learning the same in the NCC, I feel immense pride.”
The Prime Minister further hailed Operation Sindoor’s success as a testament to the bravery of the Indian Armed Forces and the rising power of the defence sector.
Recalling the country’s recent military achievements, the Prime Minister said, “Operation Sindoor has once again established India’s capabilities and the valour of our armed forces.”
Operation Sindoor has also shown how advanced and high-tech our indigenous weapons are.
Highlighting the shift from conventional to digital battlefields, the Prime Minister said, “Today, battles are fought on many fronts. Today’s battles are fought in code and in the cloud. Countries that lag behind in technology are weak not only in their economy but also in their security.”
He further said, “Today, work is being done on Made in India drones. Al and defence innovation are now modernising our forces. This means that the possibilities for you, young people, are expanding greatly, and today I want not only those sitting here, but crores of young people across the country to take advantage of this.”
