Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31st of January took a swipe at the Opposition, stating that for the first time in 10 years, there was no “foreign interference” ahead of the Parliament session. Addressing the media before the Budget session, he remarked, “Since 2014, this is probably the first Parliament session where no ‘videshi chingari’ (foreign interference) attempted to ignite any fire. Before every budget session, I had noticed such sparks being fanned, often aided by people within our country.”
#WATCH | #BudgetSession | PM Narendra Modi says, “You must have noticed, since 2014, this is the first Parliament session, which saw no ‘videshi chingari’ (foreign interference) in our affairs, in which no foreign forces tried to ignite a fire. I had noticed this before every… pic.twitter.com/WWPDw0LGmS
— ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2025
Incidentally, over the past few months especially during the Lok Sabha elections 2024, PM Modi had drawn attention to the concerning issue of ‘foreign interference’ in internal issues of India. Incidentally, while delivering victory address on October 8th, PM Modi accused Congress of conspiring internationally to undermine India’s economy and democracy.
He had said, “For some time now, many conspiracies are being hatched against India. Many conspiracies are being hatched to weaken India’s democracy and social fabric. International conspiracies are being hatched. National parties like Congress and their allies are involved in this game. Today Haryana has given a befitting reply to every such conspiracy. Every Indian will have to take a pledge that we will not let any such conspiracy succeed. India will not deviate from the path of development.”
Strikingly, the country had previously observed a glaring pattern where an unsubstantiated foreign media reports which was then quickly latched on by the Indian opposition to launch smear campaign against the Modi government and by extention disrupt its legislative business. The BBC documentary screening fiasco, the Hindenburg hit job, the canards around the Pegasus snooping allegations row are few of the prominent examples of how a foreign media sources was dropped right at the wee hours of the upcoming Parliament session, leading to a wash out of substantive hours of normal Parliamentary business.
The Prime Minister also underscored that the upcoming Union Budget would pave the way for Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. Stressing the importance of innovation, inclusion, and investment, he assured that the government’s key priorities would be focused on empowering the youth and women.
Women Empowerment & Economic Growth in Focus
PM Modi emphasized that Nari Shakti (women empowerment) would be at the heart of the Budget, reaffirming the government’s commitment to reform and transformation. “This is the first complete budget of my third term. I can confidently say that by 2047, when India completes 100 years of Independence, we will achieve our goal of Viksit Bharat,” he stated.
He also invoked Goddess Lakshmi, expressing hope that prosperity would continue to reach the poor and middle class. “I pray that Maa Lakshmi keeps blessing the poor and middle class. As India completes 75 years as a democracy, we have strengthened our global standing,” he said.
Economic Survey & Budget Presentation
The Budget session will be held in two phases, from January 31 to February 13 and from March 10 to April 4. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to table the Economic Survey today, followed by the presentation of the Union Budget on Saturday. This will be her eighth consecutive Budget speech. As the session unfolds, political and economic stakeholders will closely watch the proposed reforms and policies aimed at accelerating India’s growth trajectory towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
