Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged Indians to cut back on foreign leisure trips, overseas weddings and non-essential gold purchases, calling for greater emphasis on “Swadeshi” and self-reliance. He made the appeal in a selfie-style video message from Bishkek, where he is attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. He was speaking after India recorded 7.8% economic growth.
“Foreign trips, if you are going for leisure, you should not go. If you are getting married abroad, you should not do so. And if it is not necessary, you should not buy gold either,” PM Modi said.
He linked the appeal to his broader push for an “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, arguing that greater use of Indian products would strengthen the domestic economy. “The more we emphasise swadeshi, the more we emphasise self-reliance. I have firm faith that when it is 100 years of independence, we will present a developed India to our young generation,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s economic performance amid wars, global uncertainty and supply-chain disruptions. Taking aim at his critics, PM Modi said some people in India were spreading what he described as an “echo of lies” despite the country’s growth.
“India is progressing rapidly. On the other hand, within India too, people drowned in an atmosphere of despair are engaged in spreading ‘jhooth ki goonj’ all around. Overcoming all these things, breaking through all those challenges, the country has achieved 7.8% growth. We have to maintain this pace,” he said.
Narendra Modi said the country’s current efforts would help fulfil the aspirations of its younger generation. “We will fulfil the dreams of our young generation through our hard work today,” he said.
He also urged citizens to contribute to the country’s development, saying the government’s policies were on the right track. “Our policy is right, our intention is clear, and the strength of 140 crore countrymen, coming together today, is taking the country to new heights,” PM Modi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a similar appeal in May, asking citizens to conserve fuel, limit unnecessary overseas travel, reduce gold purchases and support Indian-made products. His comments came amid the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the US and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, PM Modi arrived at the Yrys Ordo Congress Hall in Bishkek for the 26th SCO Summit hosted by Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov. The summit brings together leaders of the SCO’s 10 member states, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The meeting is also being held in the expanded “SCO Plus” format, with partner countries and UN Secretary-General António Guterres participating. PM Modi is expected to address the summit.
