India moved from Fragile Five to Top Five, and from Naxal fear to Diwali in Bastar, says PM Modi | Top highlights

“During the Congress regime, ‘urban Naxals’ were so dominant that no information about any Maoist terrorist incident reached the people of the country," PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that his government has broken the backbone of Maoist violence in the country, claiming that “the day is not far when the nation will be completely free from Maoist terror -- this is Modi’s guarantee.” Speaking at the NDTV World Summit in Delhi, he linked the decline of Left Wing Extremism to his government’s policies, while also attacking the previous Congress government for protecting so-called “urban Naxals” and suppressing news about Maoist violence.

Referring to recent security operations, the Prime Minister said, “Eleven years ago, approximately 125 districts across the country were affected by Maoist terrorism. Today, that number has been significantly reduced to just 11 districts. Of these, only three remain severely impacted by Maoist influence.” He noted a sharp rise in Maoist surrenders, adding, “To put this into perspective, in the past 75 hours alone: 303 Naxalites have laid down their arms. These were not ordinary individuals; they carried bounties worth lakhs on their heads.”

In an emotional moment, he spoke on the human cost of extremism. “In the last 50–55 years, thousands were killed by Maoist terrorists. These Naxals would not allow schools or hospitals to be built… they would not let doctors enter clinics… they would bomb institutions. Maoist terrorism was an injustice to the young people. I used to feel agitated… this is the first time I am expressing my pain to the world.”

PM Modi highlighted how development-led governance had transformed conflict zones. He said, “Earlier, the headlines were about vehicles blown up in Bastar and security personnel killed. Today, the youth there are organising ‘Bastar Olympics’. This is a big change.” He also said that areas once scarred by fear are now preparing for festive celebrations, declaring, “Areas that were affected by Naxalism will celebrate Diwali for the first time in 50-55 years.”

Targeting the Congress, he alleged they shielded Maoist sympathisers. “During the Congress regime, ‘urban Naxals’ were so dominant that no information about any Maoist terrorist incident reached the people of the country. They enforced heavy censorship on such incidents.” In a sharp attack, he added, “And I say with great responsibility that those who wear the Constitution on their foreheads still work day and night to protect these Maoist terrorists who do not believe in the Constitution.”

Defending his government’s outreach toward former Maoists, he said, “This is why my government has taken particular efforts to reach out to these wayward youth and bring them back into the mainstream. Today, the country is seeing the result of these efforts.”

Transitioning from national security to governance reforms, PM Modi contrasted his administration with past governments. “Earlier governments carried out reforms as compulsion, we now do it with conviction. We have turned every risk into reform, every reform into resilience and every resilience into a revolution.” On national security, he asserted, “India no more remains silent after terror attacks but gives a befitting reply through air strikes, surgical strikes and Operation Sindoor.”

Speaking about India’s economic growth, he said the nation had defied global pessimism. “When wars became headlines globally, India proved naysayers wrong by continuing to march ahead as the fastest-growing economy.” He said, “We will neither pause nor slow down. 140 crore Indians will move forward together with full momentum.”

Highlighting India’s rise, he added, “Today, India has moved from being among the Fragile Five to becoming one of the world’s top five economies… from chips to ships, India is self-reliant and filled with confidence in every sphere.”

On economic reforms and decentralisation, he criticised Congress-era nationalisation policies. “Nationalisation of banks during Congress rule led to the creation of a mountain of non-performing assets. Democratisation of financial and other institutions is the key driver behind an unstoppable India.” He stressed minimal state interference, saying, “People are India’s biggest strength and they can excel when there is no pressure or intervention from the government.”

He also praised India’s success in digital payments and global partnerships, concluding, “India has proved everyone wrong on digital financial infrastructure. The world sees India as a reliable, responsible, resilient partner and a land of opportunities.”