Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking India towards the league of developed nations and that his leadership protected the interests of 140 crore Indians at a time when several countries are facing various crises.

Participating in the ‘Varanasi–Vadnagar Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ in Varanasi on Thursday to mark Mr. Modi’s 25 years in public service, Mr. Naidu said 25 crore people had come out of poverty and 80 crore people were receiving free foodgrains under the PM’s leadership, and through schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT, drinking water facilities were extended to four crore households.

Mr. Naidu noted that PM-KISAN was benefiting 11 crore farmers with funds being transferred directly into their bank accounts without intermediaries. He said that Mr. Modi encouraged the production of 200 crore COVID vaccine doses, which India supplied free of cost to 101 countries, and his policies such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and ‘Vocal for Global’ strengthened the Make-in-India concept.

India was earlier heavily dependent on imports for defence equipment, but it now become an exporter of these critical equipment. Mr. Modi understood emerging technologies such as space, drones, quantum technology, semiconductors and robotics, and was creating opportunities for the youth in those sectors, the Chief Minister observed.

Global power

Further, Mr. Naidu said India had become a strong global power and cited Operation Sindoor as an example of the country’s response to security challenges, and congratulated Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for it, while observing that Naxalism and Maoism were effectively dealt with under Mr. Modi’s stewardship.

Also, he praised Mr. Modi for the completion of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, saying that it was a long-cherished dream that became a reality.

Earlier, Mr. Naidu offered prayers to Lord Kasi Viswanath along with Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Chirag Paswan, and U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other leaders, including MPs Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and Sana Satish.