India emerging as 'Vishwa-Mitra', its achievements bringing stability to world: PM Modi

India's achievements in diverse fields are bringing stability to the world and it has emerged as 'Vishwa-Mitra' (universal friend), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his Independence Day speech on Tuesday, projecting the country's rising global profile as a major accomplishment of his government.

The administration of 200 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines was possible only because of anganwadi, ASHA and health workers, PM said.

In his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the 10th consecutive time, Modi said there are no 'ifs or buts' in the minds of the Indians and the world about India's strength and potential and that the country's developmental approach should keep in mind the global welfare as well.

Referring to the changing contours of geopolitics, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, the prime minister said the strength of 140 crore Indians is getting reflected in the changing world order.

'I am saying with firm confidence that whatever India has achieved is bringing the guarantee of stability to the world. Now there are no ifs or buts in the minds of 140 crore Indians nor the world,' Modi said.

'There is trust now in India. The ball is in our hands. We should not let go of the opportunity,' the prime minister added.

In his nearly 90-minute speech, Modi highlighted India's contribution in tackling various global challenges such as climate change and economic slowdown, adding a 'beam of light' has risen from India, which the world is seeing as a light for itself.

'Global experts are saying that India is unstoppable now,' he said, adding, 'Our national efforts should be aligned with the welfare of the world.' Modi said India has emerged as the 'Vishwa-Mitra' (universal friend) and 'Vishwa ka atut saathi' (world's reliable partner) following its contribution to helping the globe deal with the covid pandemic.

The prime minister said a new global order and geopolitical equation are fast emerging following the pandemic.

'As a new world order emerged after World War-2, I can clearly see a new world order, a new geopolitical equation is fast taking shape after Covid-19,' he said.

'The definition of the geopolitical equation is changing. And you will feel proud that the strength of our 140 crore citizens is getting reflected in giving shape to the changing world order,' he said.

'The world has seen our capabilities; the way our country moved forward during the Covid-19 pandemic when major supply chains were disrupted, when major economies were shattered. That time we also said that we want to see the world's development and it should be human-centric,' he added.

Modi said India is becoming the voice of the Global South today and the country's rich heritage is becoming a strength for the world.

'A new attraction, a new faith has arisen in the world towards India's consciousness, India's potential,' he said.

Delving into the country's economic growth, he said: 'In the coming five years, India will be in the top three economies -- this is Modi's guarantee.' 'Last year at the G20 Summit in Bali, everyone, including the leaders of developed nations, wanted to know about the success of digital India,' he said.

'Everyone wanted to know its success and I said that whatever India has done, it is not limited to Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata but youths in tier-2 and tier-3 cities are also making contributions in various fields,' he noted.

The prime minister also talked about how the world is reeling under price rise and how India has made sincere efforts to contain inflation. Modi said the G-20 grouping has also acknowledged India's approach of women-led development.