On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is rapidly on its way to becoming the world’s third-largest economy, driven by a spirit of “reform, perform, and transform.” His remarks came just days after US President Donald Trump had dismissed India as “a dead economy.”

Speaking at the foundation stone ceremony for Bangalore Metro Phase-3, while also inaugurating three Vande Bharat Express trains and the Metro Rail Yellow line, Modi highlighted India’s impressive growth across various sectors. He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

“We are moving fast toward becoming one of the top three economies in the world. How did we gain this momentum? Through the spirit of reform, perform, and transform,” he said, emphasizing that this progress comes from clear intentions and honest efforts.

Modi pointed out that in 2014, metro rail services operated only in five cities. Today, they cover over 1,000 km across 24 cities, making India the third-largest metro network globally. Railway electrification has doubled from 20,000 km in 2014 to 40,000 km in 2025. The number of airports has more than doubled from 74 to over 160, and national waterways have expanded from 3 to 30.

He also noted improvements in healthcare, with the number of AIIMS institutions rising from 7 to 22, and medical colleges increasing from 387 to 704.

“The lives of the poor and marginalized are changing alongside India’s rapid progress,” Modi said.

Exports have surged as well — from -$468 billion in 2014 to -$824 billion today. India has gone from importing mobile phones to becoming one of the top five exporters globally. Electronics exports jumped from -$6 billion to -$38 billion, and automobile exports have more than doubled, making India the fourth-largest automobile exporter worldwide.

“These achievements strengthen our vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Together, we will build a developed India,” he added.

Looking ahead, Modi emphasized that India’s next big focus should be self-reliance in technology. Indian tech companies are gaining global recognition, developing software and products that serve markets worldwide.