Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 10 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasized that the country's economy is progressing rapidly and the country is firmly on its way to become the third largest global economy.

'We are rapidly moving towards becoming the top third economy. This speed came to us from the spirit of reform, perform, and transform. This speed came to us from clear intention and honest efforts. In 2014, Metro was limited to only five cities. And now there is a network of more than 1000 km in 24 cities... Before 2014, about 20,000 km of rail route was electrified... We have electrified more than 40,000 km of rail route in the last 11 years itself... Till 2014, there were only 74 airports in India. Now their number has increased to more than 160... The figures for waterways are also equally impressive. In 2014, only 3 national waterways were operational. Now this number has increased to 30,' the Prime Minister said.

He further said that in the last 11 years, India's economy has risen from 10th place to the top five. 'We are now moving rapidly towards becoming one of the top three economies,' he said.

Addressing a public event in Bengaluru, PM Modi pushed for improving the standards of 'Make in India' products with 'zero defect and zero effect'.

He expressed his desire for the youth of Bengaluru and Karnataka to lead his vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat.'

'We have to strengthen the presence of Bengaluru and Karnataka in 'Make in India'. I urge that our products should be of the standards of 'Zero Defect, Zero Effect'. That is, there should be defect-free products, and their manufacturing should also not have any negative impact on the environment. I expect that the talent of Karnataka will lead this vision of 'Aatmnirbhar Bharat'', the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi further drew attention towards the importance of being self-reliant in technology. He said that the next priority of the nation should be to 'Tech Atmanirbhar Bharat'.The Prime Minister stated that it is time for India to accelerate its pace in developing new products.

'Our next big priority among the current achievements should be 'Tech Aatmanirbhar Bharat'... Now is the time to give more priority to the needs of India and move ahead faster in developing new products,' he said.

The Prime Minister also hailed Operation Sindoor and the role of 'Make in India' defence in its success. He acknowledged the significant contribution of the youth of Bengaluru and Karnataka in this achievement, and extended his congratulations to all for their role in this success.

'The success of Operation Sindoor is due to our technology and the power of 'Make in India' in defence. The youth of Bengaluru and Karnataka have contributed a lot to this,' PM Modi said.

'We are seeing Bangalore emerging as a city that has become a symbol of the rise of the new India... A city that has put India's flag on the global IT map. If there is anything behind Bangalore's success story, it is the hard work and talent of its people,' the Prime Minister said.

Mentioning that this was his first visit to Bengaluru following Operation Sindoor, PM Modi highlighted the success of Indian forces, noting their capability to destroy terrorist hideouts deep across the border. He emphasized India's strength in forcing Pakistan, who came to defend the terrorists, to its knees within hours. 'The entire world has witnessed this new face of New India', said the Prime Minister, attributing the success of Operation Sindoor to the power of technology and the strength of Make in India in the defence sector.

Trade tensions escalated between India and United States following US President Donald Trump's imposition of a total of 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports.

President Trump has accused India of buying Russian oil and energy, which has been funding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Trump had taken to his social media platform Truth Social after the announcement of 25 per cent tariffs against India and threatened an additional 'penalty' for importing Russian oil.

'I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India; their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world.' Trump said on his Truth Social.

Later Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said that he is 'glad' that the US President has stated a fact and that the whole world knows the Indian economy is 'dead' except for the Prime Minister and Finance Minister.

'Yes, he is right, Everybody knows this except the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I am glad that President Trump has stated a fact... The entire world knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. BJP has finished the economy to help Adani,' the Congress leader had said. (ANI)