New Delhi, Oct 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday criticised the Congress at the NDTV World Summit, accusing the opposition party of damaging India's international reputation, seeking foreign intervention and questioning the country's achievements to protect its leadership from repeated political failures.
Addressing the summit, Modi said that while the world was searching for a new global order, India was looking towards a new era of growth and development. He said the country's image as a strong and confident nation was gaining prominence internationally despite prevailing global uncertainties.
However, the Prime Minister alleged that some political leaders were attempting to undermine India's reputation abroad. Without directly naming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi accused the party of travelling overseas to criticise India and seeking external intervention in its domestic affairs.
He also took a swipe at the Congress leadership, comparing its repeated attempts to promote its leader to unsuccessful product launches. Modi alleged that the party was questioning India's progress, achievements and strengths to protect its leadership from the consequences of repeated failures.
Using the expression “the grapes are sour”, the Prime Minister suggested that the Congress was unable to acknowledge the country's accomplishments. He further claimed that the leadership of a single family had become a burden on the party, adding that senior Congress leaders privately recognised the situation but remained silent.
Modi also argued that the Congress's approach was affecting the functioning of democracy by overshadowing constructive criticism of the government. According to him, opposition leaders who sought to raise public issues through democratic channels were finding it difficult to make their voices heard amid the political confrontation.
He alleged that young and capable parliamentarians from other opposition parties were also being denied adequate space because the Congress wanted to keep the spotlight on one leader.
The Prime Minister further accused the Congress of coming under the influence of what he described as “ideological Naxals”. He alleged that individuals who had earlier created unrest in forest regions were now influencing the party and working against the country's interests. Modi claimed that this influence had weakened the party's ability to think independently.
Turning to India's development prospects, the Prime Minister said the country was driven by a strong collective determination to overcome challenges and achieve ambitious goals. He reiterated his vision of Viksit Bharat, or Developed India, and identified the confidence of India's 1.4 billion citizens as a key source of national strength.
Modi said India would continue to innovate, address emerging challenges and pursue development in a manner that benefits not only its citizens but also the wider world.
His remarks at the NDTV World Summit centred on India's global standing, national development, political accountability and the role of the opposition in a democracy. The address also featured a sharp exchange of political criticism, with the Prime Minister questioning the Congress leadership's approach to national achievements and democratic debate.
