New Delhi, December 6, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted that India’s reforms are no longer reactive measures taken to manage crises or political exigencies, but are now driven by the principle of “nation first”, marking a decisive shift in policy-making. He made these remarks during his keynote address at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025 (HTLS) in New Delhi, emphasizing the transformative progress India has made across sectors, including taxation, space, and governance.

Reforms Now Guided by National Interest

Speaking at the three-day summit, PM Modi underlined that reforms in India’s tax structure and economic policies are no longer ad hoc or crisis-driven. “It was either for some political interest or to manage a crisis, but now national growth is the driving factor,” he said. He added, “In each sector, there is something improving. Our speed is constant, direction is consistent, and intent is nation first.”

The Prime Minister specifically highlighted 2025 as a year of landmark reforms, pointing to next-generation GST implementation and direct tax reforms as examples. “Now, there’s zero tax on income up to ₹12 lakh a year,” he said, emphasizing that these measures were aimed at boosting growth, reducing burden on citizens, and encouraging compliance.

India’s Position in a World of Uncertainties

PM Modi placed India’s growth in a global context, noting that the 21st century has seen financial crises, global pandemics, and other disruptions. “These situations challenged the world in one way or the other. Today, the world is full of uncertainties, but amidst this, our India is appearing in a different league,” he said, highlighting India’s resilience and strategic reforms that have strengthened its global standing.

Space Sector as an Example of Transformation

The Prime Minister cited India’s space sector as a model for transformative reform. “The government has provided the platform, and the youth of India is building the future,” he said. He mentioned the inauguration of the ‘Infinity Campus’ of Skyroot Aerospace in Hyderabad just days earlier, highlighting the rise of private sector participation in space technology. “Earlier, the space sector was in government control. We opened it to the private sector as a reform. India is seeing its results,” he added, framing this as part of the summit’s theme, ‘Transforming Tomorrow’.

Acknowledging Milestones

HT Chairperson and Editorial Director Shobhana Bhartia acknowledged PM Modi’s personal and political milestones during her welcome speech. She congratulated him on 25 years as a head of government—first as Chief Minister of Gujarat (2001–2014) and subsequently as Prime Minister (2014 onwards). She also noted his 75th birthday in September, marking the Prime Minister’s enduring public service.

Interactive Sessions and Other Highlights

HTLS 2025 also featured interactive sessions with senior leaders including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with global celebrities like Hugh Grant and Aamir Khan. These discussions spanned policy, governance, technology, and leadership, complementing PM Modi’s keynote on national reforms and India’s strategic trajectory.

Key Takeaways

1. Nation-First Reforms: Policies are now guided by national interest, not crisis management or political expediency.
2. Tax and Economic Reforms: Next-generation GST and direct tax reforms are examples of citizen-friendly, growth-oriented changes.
3. Global Resilience: India is emerging as a stable growth driver in a world marked by uncertainties.
4. Private Sector Empowerment: The space sector demonstrates India’s openness to private innovation and public-private collaboration.
5. Long-Term Vision: The PM’s address emphasized consistent direction, speed, and intent across all reforms.

In conclusion, PM Modi’s HTLS 2025 address painted a picture of an India transformed by proactive, nation-first reforms, highlighting tax policy, space sector liberalization, and governance as key pillars of the country’s ongoing journey toward becoming a global leader in growth and innovation.