India on track to become world’s third-largest economy by 2029: Sarbananda Sonowal

A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, on Friday stated that India is firmly on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2029. He attributed this projected growth to 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisive, development-focused, and corruption-free governance, which he said has triggered an “unstoppable surge” in national progress.

Addressing a press conference in Dibrugarh to mark the NDA government’s 11th anniversary, Sonowal, a senior BJP leader, said that India has emerged from an era of policy paralysis and dynastic misrule. He highlighted that the country is now driven by welfare-led growth, innovation by the youth, and massive infrastructure transformation. “In just one decade, over 25 crore Indians have risen above poverty. That’s more than the population of most European countries,” he said. “This is the Modi guarantee — delivery with speed, scale and honesty.”

Highlighting the economic achievements of the Modi government, Sonowal noted that India’s rise to become the fourth-largest global economy is only the beginning. “By 2029, India will become the third-largest economy in the world. We are laying the foundation for a Viksit Bharat — a developed, self-reliant India,” he added.

Sonowal also pointed to the rapid expansion of India’s startup ecosystem, which has grown from 30,000 startups in 2014 to over one lakh today. “This is a new India, led by young dreamers and doers. Over 1.7 crore youth are now part of this vibrant startup movement,” he said.

Taking a sharp dig at the Congress party, Sonowal accused it of having betrayed India’s farmers through decades of apathy and neglect. In contrast, he said, the Modi government has prioritized farmers’ welfare through initiatives like the PM-KISAN scheme, the PM Fasal Bima Yojana, and increased Minimum Support Prices (MSP). “These are not handouts — they are rightful returns to our farmers. In Assam, we are now offering Rs 2,350 per quintal for paddy,” he stated.

As the Lok Sabha MP from Dibrugarh, Sonowal emphasized the remarkable transformation taking place in the Northeast, calling it one of the Modi government’s most defining legacies. “Prime Minister Modi has visited the Northeast over 70 times — more than any other Prime Minister in history. His vision has transformed the region from a neglected frontier into a new engine of national growth,” he said.

He also highlighted the recent ‘Rising Northeast’ summit, which secured investment promises worth over Rs 4.5 lakh crore. Major connectivity upgrades are currently underway in the region, including improvements in roads, railways, internet, and waterways. “Modern river ports at Jogighopa, Dhubri, Pandu, and Dibrugarh will soon connect Assam to the global trade network. We are not just building infrastructure — we are reshaping the future,” Sonowal remarked.

The Union Minister also praised several welfare schemes implemented by the Modi government. He mentioned the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, which provides free food grains to over 81 crore people, and the PM Awas Yojana, under which 4 crore houses have been constructed. “From health to housing, from nutrition to self-employment, this government has delivered,” he said, also citing the PM SVANidhi scheme, which has benefited over 68 lakh street vendors across the country.

Sonowal underlined that women and youth empowerment are central to the Modi government’s development agenda. “From 33% reservation for women in Parliament to schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, we are reshaping India’s social fabric,” he asserted. He further highlighted India’s rising profile in the world of sports through programs such as Khelo India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which are nurturing young talent and strengthening the country’s international sporting potential.

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