PM Modi says reform is conviction, not compulsion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India's political stability and policy continuity have made it a "bright centre of development" amid global uncertainties. Speaking at the ET Global Leaders Forum, Modi said the government is undertaking "next-generation reforms" at the policy level, including in governance and ease of living. "Reform is not a compulsion for us, it is our commitment, it is our conviction," he said.

Modi contrasted the current production-linked incentive (PLI) regime with what he called the earlier "production-linked punishment" (PLP) model, under which companies were penalised for exceeding output limits. He cited railway safety improvements, saying electronic interlocking at 6,500 stations and elimination of unmanned crossings have reduced train accidents by 90% to 12-15 a year. He also highlighted the Delhi Metro's 99.9% punctuality and initiatives like DigiYatra and UPI as examples of ease-of-living reforms.

Times Internet chairman Satyan Gajwani described Modi as the longest-serving democratically elected leader among G7 and G20 nations, saying stable leadership instils confidence. Both outlets carried the speech without critical counterpoints or independent verification of the claims.