India's global trade push gains ground as PM Modi says FTAs concluded with 40 countries

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India has concluded free trade agreements (FTAs) with 40 countries, highlighting the country’s expanding global economic footprint and growing engagement with international markets.Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, Modi said the world has started recognising India’s capabilities and pointed to the trade agreements as evidence of the country’s growing presence in the global economy.“The world has started recognising our abilities; we have concluded FTAs with 40 countries,” Modi said.The Prime Minister’s remarks came as he outlined India’s economic progress over the past 12 years and its efforts to become more self-reliant while strengthening its position in global trade and manufacturing. INDIA’S RISING GLOBAL FOOTPRINTModi said India had moved ahead at a faster pace over the past 12 years, with the country’s growing capabilities being reflected across manufacturing, technology and trade.He highlighted the expansion in defence production, electronic manufacturing and mobile phone production, along with India’s progress in digital technology and innovation. Defence production has increased nearly fourfold over the past 12 years, while production in the khadi and village industries sector has risen nearly fivefold, Modi said. Electronic manufacturing has grown nearly sevenfold, modern railway coach production has increased 21-fold and mobile phone production has risen 33-fold.The Prime Minister said this expansion in domestic manufacturing was helping India strengthen its position in the global economy.FROM SELF-RELIANCE TO GLOBAL TRADEModi’s comments on FTAs came alongside his broader push for an Atmanirbhar Bharat, with the government seeking to strengthen domestic capabilities while increasing India’s participation in global markets.He also highlighted India’s efforts to build capabilities in strategically important sectors such as semiconductors and energy.Three major semiconductor plants have already started operations, Modi said, adding that production from these facilities will also be exported. Another five to eight semiconductor plants are likely to become operational over the next seven to eight years, he said.“In today’s digital world and the age of technology, we understand the importance of chips. Whether it is electronic goods, medical equipment or transportation systems, chips are indispensable to all of them,” Modi said.He said India’s semiconductor push was part of the larger journey towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat and would help pave the way for a Viksit Bharat.ENERGY SECURITY ALSO A FOCUSModi also highlighted India’s ability to maintain energy supplies during the West Asia crisis, saying the episode demonstrated the importance of self-reliance.“When the West Asia crisis happened, some people tried to scare us that we would not get petrol, diesel or LPG,” he said.According to Modi, measures taken by the government ensured that there was no shortage of gas, fuel or urea in the country. He said India had proved the naysayers wrong by ensuring sufficient energy supplies during the crisis.“Some people weaponised systems at their disposal during times of crisis, but our self-reliance helped us,” Modi said.He said India has set a target of 200 GW of nuclear energy and is setting up five new nuclear reactors. The country has also crossed an important milestone in fast breeder nuclear technology, which Modi described as a major step towards becoming self-reliant in nuclear fuel.Piped gas is now reaching 1.75 crore households, while more than 50 lakh households are covered by solar energy, he said.INDIA’S NEXT PHASE OF GROWTHModi said India could no longer afford to move forward with small dreams and called for bigger ambitions and stronger resolve.He said a country does not always stop because of a lack of resources, but can be held back by limitations in its thinking. Expanding India’s capabilities across manufacturing, technology, energy and trade, he said, would be crucial to achieving the country’s larger economic ambitions.The Prime Minister’s Independence Day address therefore placed India’s growing global footprint alongside its push for domestic capacity — with trade agreements, manufacturing expansion, semiconductor production and energy security forming key pillars of the country’s journey towards a more self-reliant and globally competitive economy.- EndsPublished On: Aug 15, 2026 08:25 IST