We’re not people who sit on banks of stagnant water & throw pebbles: PM
In a stirring address at the ET World Leaders Forum 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted the global community to adopt a more proactive approach to economic growth, urging that “we’re not the people who sit on the banks of stagnant water and throw pebbles. We are the people who can turn a fast-flowing stream.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks were a clarion call to action, as he called upon world leaders to break free from the shackles of stagnation and instead harness the power of innovation and reform to drive growth and prosperity. India, he argued, is uniquely positioned to take the lead in this regard, having successfully implemented a program of “Reform, Perform, Transform” that has yielded remarkable results.
The Prime Minister’s comments came against the backdrop of a global economy that has been struggling to recover from the pandemic-induced downturn. Many countries, Modi noted, are stuck in a cycle of slow growth, with little prospect of escaping the doldrums. India, on the other hand, has shown remarkable resilience, with its GDP growing at a rapid clip despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
So what sets India apart? For Modi, the answer lies in the country’s ability to adapt and innovate, powered by a youthful population and a highly skilled workforce. India, he argued, is the perfect storm of demographics, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with a growing middle class that is driving consumer spending and economic growth.
But Modi was not content simply to bask in the glory of India’s success story. Instead, he used the platform of the ET World Leaders Forum to urge other countries to follow suit, calling upon them to adopt a more proactive approach to economic growth. The days of complacency, he argued, are over; the world needs leaders who are willing to take bold action, to push the boundaries of what is possible, and to harness the power of technology and innovation to drive growth and prosperity.
The Prime Minister’s message was echoed by other leaders at the forum, who spoke of the need for a new era of international cooperation and collaboration. The global economy, they argued, is more interconnected than ever before, and it is only by working together that we can hope to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
So what does this mean for business leaders and policymakers around the world? For Modi, the answer is clear: it means embracing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that has driven India’s success. It means being willing to take calculated risks, to experiment with new ideas, and to harness the power of technology and innovation to drive growth and prosperity.
It also means recognizing the importance of international cooperation and collaboration. In a world that is increasingly interconnected, the challenges that we face are global in scope and scale. It is only by working together that we can hope to overcome them, and to build a brighter future for all.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the ET World Leaders Forum 2025 was a powerful call to action, urging world leaders to adopt a more proactive approach to economic growth. India, he argued, is uniquely positioned to take the lead in this regard, having successfully implemented a program of “Reform, Perform, Transform” that has yielded remarkable results.
But the Prime Minister’s message was not limited to India alone. Rather, he used the platform of the forum to urge other countries to follow suit, calling upon them to adopt a more innovative and entrepreneurial approach to economic growth. By working together, he argued, we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead and build a brighter future for all.
