Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged Indians to avoid unnecessary foreign travel, overseas weddings and gold purchases as he renewed his call for greater emphasis on swadeshi and self-reliance.
Speaking in a selfie-style video message, Modi congratulated the country after India recorded 7.8% economic growth in the first quarter of financial year 2026-27. He said the country was progressing despite global uncertainty, wars, crises and disruptions to supply chains.
“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,” Modi said.
PM Modi’s swadeshi appeal
The prime minister said greater emphasis on Indian-made products and self-reliance would help strengthen the country’s economy.
He expressed confidence that continued efforts in this direction would contribute to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by the centenary of Independence.
“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.
Modi’s appeal comes amid continuing global economic uncertainty and disruptions affecting international supply chains. His message also echoes an earlier call for people to conserve fuel, limit unnecessary foreign travel and reduce non-essential gold purchases.
PM Modi takes apparent swipe at Rahul Gandhi
While highlighting India’s growth, Modi also appeared to take a dig at critics of his government.
He said that while India was progressing rapidly, some people within the country were “drowned in an atmosphere of despair” and were spreading what he described as “jhooth ki goonj” or an echo of lies.
The remark was seen as a possible reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “Chhatron Ki Goonj” student outreach campaign, which has focused on issues such as paper leaks, unemployment and the education system.
Modi said India had overcome several challenges to achieve 7.8% growth and called for efforts to maintain the momentum.
‘Dreams of young generation will be fulfilled’
The prime minister said the country’s youth would benefit from the efforts being made today.
“We will fulfil the dreams of our young generation through our hard work today,” he said.
He also urged citizens to contribute to India’s development, saying the government’s policies and intentions were clear.
“Let us leave no stone unturned in our efforts,” Modi said, adding that the collective strength of India’s 140 crore people was taking the country to new heights.
PM Modi at SCO Summit in Bishkek
Modi is currently in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where he is attending the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit hosted by Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov.
The summit brings together leaders of the SCO’s member states, including Modi, 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 leaders from partner countries and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres participating.
India has been a full member of the SCO since 2017.
