Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday marked 25 years in public office by setting five major goals for India and giving the country a new slogan: “We will do it”. Addressing a gathering at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, Modi urged citizens to renew their resolve and aim higher. The crowd responded with “we will do it” after each goal.

Modi took the oath as Gujarat chief minister on October 7, 2001, succeeding Keshubhai Patel as the state's 14th chief minister. The BJP and his supporters marked the 25-year milestone, but Modi turned the occasion into a call for a fresh national commitment.

“Today, at this stage of my journey, I respectfully salute every volunteer and every fellow worker. Friends, today is not just a day for memories. It is a day to fill our resolve with new energy. This is a day to repeat that promise, to express that intention, which says, We will do it. We will do it. We will do it. We will do it,” said Modi.

Modi outlined five key targets: making India a developed nation by 2047, becoming one of the world's top three economies, achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat, turning India into a global manufacturing hub, hosting the Olympics and setting foot in space. The crowd responded “We will do it!” after every target.

“This energy, this enthusiasm, this self-confidence is extraordinary,” Modi also said.

The targets come as the government faces political pressure. Protests have taken place over several issues, including demands for the resignation of Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the special intensive revision of electoral rolls. The Opposition has also raised allegations related to elections. The now-withdrawn UGC equity guidelines have also triggered protests among sections of the general category.

Modi's speech sought to shift attention towards the government's larger development agenda. India remains the fastest-growing major economy and is currently the world's sixth-largest economy. It ranked 10th when Modi became prime minister in 2014.

Modi also highlighted India's handling of major global crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East. He said India had shown greater resilience than many emerging economies.

“Whenever a crisis struck [in the past], India's economy would be shaken. Today, when a crisis comes, India's strength is discussed. India's resilience is discussed. Friends, back then, there was talk of policy paralysis, and today there is talk of reforms express. Back then, ways were sought to increase imports, and today new export records are being set,” Modi said.

He linked self-reliance with manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports. The Production Linked Incentive scheme, launched in April 2020, has supported domestic manufacturing.

“Today, we ourselves are the makers of our destiny. Therefore, it would be an injustice to Mother India if we were to pursue small goals. It would be an injustice to the nation's potential if we were to pursue easy goals. This is the time when we, as a nation, should set big goals,” Modi said.

India's trade deficit narrowed to $9.41 billion in August 2026 from $11.62 billion in August 2025, according to reports.