New Delhi, Jan. 29 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted India's strong growth trajectory, describing the start of this quarter as "very positive" and calling a self-confident India "a ray of hope for the world today."

Addressing the media ahead of the Budget Session 2026, he noted that India has emerged as a centre of global attention. He said that at the beginning of this quarter, India and the European Union signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which the Prime Minister described as reflecting "the bright future of Indian youth and the promising directions ahead."

"This quarter has begun on a very positive note. A self-confident India has become a ray of hope for the world today. It has also become a centre of attrac...