New Delhi:

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about a range of issues including opposition attacks, his development philosophy, and the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Asked about opposition leaders’ criticism, PM Modi said that he does not regard them as his enemies. He insisted that he intends to work collaboratively with Opposition leaders.

“I never challenge and I want to take them along. I do not underestimate anyone. They have formed the government for 60-70 years. I want to learn the good things that they did. I do not consider the Opposition as the enemy,” PM Modi told NDTV.

PM Modi said he was open to constructive criticism and advice, from experienced Opposition leaders.

“If they have anyone experienced who wants to advise me then I welcome it. They can say whatever they want to the media – good or bad, but if they have anything to offer for the country’s good then I welcome them. I don’t wish any ill upon anyone,” PM Modi said.

“I want to get rid of ‘old mentality’. I cannot use traditions and laws that were made in the 18th century to build India’s future in the 21st century. I want to make a change by reform, perform and transform,” he added.

PM Modi also responded to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s declaration that June 4 (the day of election results) is be the BJP-led government’s expiry date. “She is speaking the truth. This government has to end on June 4, and then a new government has to be formed. This is constitutional that the term of the government has to end, there is nothing political in it. After the elections, a new government will be formed and we will form a new government,” he grinned.

“Main toh avinashi hoon, main toh kashi ka hoon.. Kashi toh avinashi hai (I am indestructible, I am from Kashi (Varanasi), Kashi is indestructible).”

The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven phases with the results scheduled to be declared on June 4.
 

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an exclusive interview with NDTV, said Apple has increased iPhone production in the country and one out of seven iPhones in the world is now being manufactured in India. He also noted that India is now the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world.

“We were importer of mobile phones. Today we are the second largest manufacturer of mobile phones and we are exporting iPhones today. One out of seven iPhones in the world is now being manufactured in India,” said the Prime Minister.

“We are also exporting a record number of the Apple product which is a stellar example of the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme’s success,” he added.

Around 25 per cent of all iPhones are to be made in India by 2028. The iPhone maker had a record first-quarter shipment in India, growing by 19% (year-on-year). Apple is also working on lowering its dependence on China by deepening its ecosystems by building a network of local vendors.

In the January-March quarter, Apple recorded a strong double-digit growth in India, which is likely to become the iPhone maker’s third-largest market in the next 2-3 years.

Last year, Apple shipped around 10 million iPhones in India, which accounts for 7% of its market share.

New Delhi:

Every cabinet note related to a Bill now comes with a global standards report so that the legislation can be aligned to the best practices worldwide, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told NDTV in an exclusive interview.

Speaking to NDTV’s editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia, the Prime Minister said, “These days, a tradition has started in my cabinet. Whenever a Bill to be introduced in Parliament comes before the cabinet, a global standards note comes with it. This note mentions which country is performing the best in that particular field, what are the rules there and how we can achieve that. So, we have to match every cabinet note with global standards.”

“It has become a habit for the bureaucracy now. Just saying our (plan) is the best in the world is not enough. Say who is doing the best in world and where we are and how we can get there,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also expressed confidence that the BJP is set to score a record win in the ongoing general election, four phases of which are over. Everyone, he said, knows that the scales are tilted in favour of the BJP and the NDA alliance.

The Prime Minister mentioned a ‘four-S’ mantra for the country. “The scope should be very big, it shouldn’t be in parts. The second thing is scale, which should also be large. The speed should be in sync with these two. So, scope, scale and speed, and then there should be skill. If we can get these four things together, I believe we can achieve a lot,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister is eyeing a third term, and the BJP has set a target of winning 370 seats on its own and taking the NDA tally past the 400 mark. Three phases of the general election are left, which the fifth phase due tomorrow. Counting of votes will be held on June 4.

Tune in at 8 pm today to watch the interview, which will be aired across the NDTV network.