India’s global stature has risen under Modi, says Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India’s global standing has strengthened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing economic growth, low inflation, and international credibility. He made the remarks during a World Environment Day plantation drive in Lucknow

Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday asserted India had emerged as a strong nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that its stature has risen on the global stage. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a plantation programme on World Environment Day, Singh, who is on a three-day tour to his Lucknow constituency, said that the country’s economy has scaled new heights and was being praised across the world.

He added that India has enjoyed considerable credibility in the international arena. “I believe that during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s stature in the international arena has risen. And, I am not saying this merely as a Cabinet member,” he said.

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“The truth is that the world recognises that India is no longer the India it used to be. It is no longer weak but has become powerful. This is why India’s reputation has risen in the international arena because of this credibility,” he added.

Referring to the West Asia crisis, Defence Minister Singh praised the prime minister for keeping inflation under control despite global uncertainties, claiming that no other country has managed to do so.

“If you go to other places, inflation has risen by 30 per cent, 40 per cent, or even more. However, in India, it stands at approximately something over 3 per cent. I believe that there cannot be any achievement greater than this,” Singh said.

To a question on the target of planting 70 crore saplings, he said that we will achieve whatever target we have set. “We have successfully achieved every goal we have set so far, and we will achieve this goal — the tree plantation target — as well,” he said.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Singh planted a sapling at the Kasturba Park in Lucknow Cantonment as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A Tree in the Name of Mother) campaign.

On this occasion, leaders appealed for the planting of as many trees as possible to ensure environmental conservation, green development, and a clean, safe environment for future generations.

Singh said that trees are not merely a means to maintain environmental balance but are also the foundation of human existence and prosperity.

He said that the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, launched in response to the prime minister’s call, is a meaningful effort to express reverence for nature and motherhood.

He urged all citizens to join this campaign and pledge to plant at least one sapling and nurture it. The minister also visited the residence of Aparna Yadav, the vice-chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission, to express his condolences over the passing of her husband, late Prateek Yadav.

He met the family members and prayed for peace for the departed souls and for the family to find the strength to bear this grief, the Lucknow city unit of the BJP said in a statement.