New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at the opposition Congress, saying that while the world is searching for a "new order", some people are dreaming of "disorder" in India.
In a direct attack on the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi said the country does not have as many rocket launches from Sriharikota in one year as the Congress makes failed attempts to launch its leader.
"To save its family from the blot of failure, the Congress is questioning India's achievements. The grapes are sour, and the Congress is now trying to axe the vine itself. The family is now a burden on the Congress," the PM said while addressing the NDTV World Summit here.
Without taking any name, Modi said genuine civil movements meant to improve the system are ruined by the Congress, which has become a political parasite influenced by "brain naxalites" who have paralysed its capacity for independent thought.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the opposition INDIA bloc have staged separate protests in the national capital and other parts of the country over the last fortnight seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Though Gandhi made statements condemning the arrest of CJP leaders, there is no direct connection between the two groups and their protests.
Modi alleged that due to the Congress' attitude, the voices of the government's honest critics, who want the welfare of the country and democracy, are drowned out.
He said the world order is changing and hence reform in multilateral institutions is essential to give due place to the voice of the Global South.
"We have to understand why the world order is changing. Why the old order has not been able to resolve the emerging challenges," he said.
"Reform in multilateral institutions is essential. Giving rightful place to the voice of the Global South is essential," the prime minister said.
He said when the global realities change, but the methods of decision-making do not, the gap between the system and reality begins to widen.
For decades, Modi said, trade connected nations, technology bridged distances, sea routes linked economies, and culture and mobility brought diverse societies closer.
"But today, these very links are facing new tensions. Trade is becoming a medium of weaponisation. Technology is turning into a new arena of competition and conflict. Sea routes are becoming hubs of geopolitical tensions," he said.
Therefore, today's challenge is not merely the emergence of a new global order; the challenge is how to forge an order in a changing world that accommodates new realities, makes global institutions more effective, and strengthens the spirit of cooperation among nations, he said.
"And this is where the question of India's role comes to the fore," he added.
Modi also said international cooperation should not be just for good times; it should remain effective even in times of crisis, and for that, effective consensus among all stakeholders is essential.
He said that while the world is searching for a "new order", some people are dreaming of "disorder" in India.
"Today, when there is so much global chaos, the image of a strong India should shine worldwide. But some are hell-bent on dragging India's reputation in the mud, going abroad to defame the country and pleading for foreign intervention," he said.
The PM said no one knows how long the Congress will keep the country at stake to launch its "failed product".
"In fact, this family of the Congress has become a burden on its own party," he said, adding that the senior leaders of the opposition party admit this in private.
He said it is seen in Parliament how talented young opposition MPs want to debate and criticise the government.
"But the Congress disrupts proceedings because it wants to keep only one person in the limelight, doing grave injustice to young opposition lawmakers," he claimed.
Modi said the world realised that the global order cannot be run solely on the basis of power and interests.
"Dialogue is essential, cooperation is necessary, and the resolution of disputes is imperative. This very sentiment laid the foundation of the United Nations (UN)," he said.
For decades, the UN played its part in promoting global cooperation and peace. However, over time, the world kept changing, new aspirations emerged, new economies and new powers arose, he said.
"The United Nations and other global institutions have had their historical roles, but in the face of today's challenges, their limitations are clearly visible," he said.
Highlighting India's achievements in various sectors, Modi said there was a time when the world called India the 'World's Back Office', but today's India is not just a service provider; it is innovating, designing and building new solutions and technologies for the world.
"We will dream big, transform every challenge into an opportunity, and carry every resolve to its fruition. Our strength is our self-confidence, and our inspiration is the dreams of 140 crore countrymen.
"We will innovate, forge new paths, touch new heights, and connect India's success with the world's success," the PM said.