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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the Union Budget 2026-27 as historic, saying it reflects the aspirations of 140 crore Indians, accelerates the reform journey and sets a clear roadmap for a Viksit Bharat by 2047. In a video message after the Budget was presented in the Lok Sabha, Modi said the proposals together form a “highway of opportunities” that strengthens India’s foundation for long-term growth while expanding the country’s global role.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came shortly after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget for the ninth consecutive time, a record that Modi said symbolised the empowered presence of the nation’s feminine strength in policymaking.

Calling the Budget ambitious and future-oriented, Modi said it captures the hopes of citizens across sectors and regions. He underlined that the document strengthens trust-based governance and advances a human-centric economic framework, balancing fiscal discipline with growth.

According to the Prime Minister, the emphasis on reducing the fiscal deficit and containing inflation, alongside sustained capital expenditure, signals policy stability and confidence to investors and industry alike.

Modi said the Budget will give India’s “reform express” new energy and momentum. He stressed that the country is not content with being merely the fastest-growing major economy and is determined to become the world’s third-largest economy at the earliest.

“This resolve belongs to millions of Indians,” he said, adding that recent reforms and trade initiatives are steadily expanding India’s role as a trusted democratic partner and quality supplier on the global stage.

The Prime Minister highlighted the Budget’s focus on strengthening Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, calling it an ambitious roadmap to boost domestic manufacturing and self-reliance.

He pointed to enhanced support for sunrise sectors such as biopharma, semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, critical minerals and textiles, noting that these measures address both present needs and future competitiveness.

Modi said the targeted support announced for micro, small and medium enterprises will give them fresh strength to scale up and compete globally. He noted that MSMEs remain central to employment generation, innovation and exports, and that Budget measures are designed to improve their access to credit, technology and markets.

The Budget, Modi said, takes major steps to strengthen infrastructure, including proposals for dedicated freight corridors, expansion of waterways, high-speed rail corridors and focused development of tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

He also flagged the promotion of municipal bonds as a move to provide cities with stronger and more sustainable economic foundations.

Describing the Budget as one for Yuva Shakti, Modi said the provisions will nurture leaders, innovators and creators across sectors, opening up new opportunities in healthcare, the orange economy, tourism, sports and emerging technologies.

He also stressed the focus on women-led development, noting that more than 10 crore women associated with self-help groups stand to benefit from a modern ecosystem aimed at ensuring prosperity reaches every household. The proposal to build new hostels for girl students in every district, he said, will further improve access to education.

Modi reiterated that agriculture, dairy and fisheries remain top priorities. He cited specific measures for farmers involved in coconut, cashew, cocoa and sandalwood cultivation, as well as initiatives to promote entrepreneurship in fisheries and animal husbandry to generate jobs and self-employment in rural areas.

Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister said the Union Budget 2026-27 lays the foundation for India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. He congratulated the Finance Minister and her team for presenting what he called a futuristic and sensitive Budget dedicated to villages, farmers, the poor and the youth, while addressing the broader aspirations of the nation.