Modi highlights international rush for lucrative global trade pacts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed the Rising Bharat Summit, noting a dramatic shift in how the international community views New Delhi. He pointed out that powerful nations are actively seeking India trade deals because the country has completely transformed its economic landscape over the last decade. Decisive governance has effectively replaced older eras of hesitation, creating a highly robust environment for international commerce.
Speaking at the prominent Network18 event on Friday, Modi reflected on deep-rooted psychological barriers that previously hindered national progress. He explained that post-independence leadership often relied heavily on imported ideologies, which left citizens questioning their own inherent capabilities. People were historically conditioned to seek foreign validation and routinely copy international methods instead of trusting local potential. This lingering feeling of servitude trapped the nation in a mindset of dependency for many decades.
Current high-level negotiations clearly prove that global powers recognise the country's rapidly growing economic muscle. Modi stated that leaders are often surprised by the sheer eagerness of wealthy, developed nations to finalize complex India trade deals. He firmly reminded the audience that no foreign power would invest in a country suffering from policy paralysis or one stuck in the vulnerable "fragile five" economic category. Sweeping structural reforms implemented over the past eleven years have awakened the nation's true potential and built tremendous financial resilience.
Major diplomatic milestones strongly validate this newfound international trust. New Delhi recently secured an unprecedented free trade agreement with the European Union, establishing a massive, modern rules-based framework for deep market integration. Similarly, an interim agreement with the United States successfully slashed specific tariffs from 50 percent down to 18 percent earlier this month. While broader US talks face temporary delays due to recent legal rulings and changing administration policies, the overall economic momentum remains highly positive.
Middle Eastern partnerships are also flourishing under this new strategic approach. Oman signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in December 2025, allowing 98 percent of Indian exports duty-free access while aiming to push bilateral commerce well past 10 billion dollars annually. Furthermore, ongoing negotiations with Israel officially evolved into a Special Strategic Partnership in February 2026, paving the way for faster progress on both free trade and promising new bilateral investment agreements.
With Agency Inputs
