Lok Sabha: PM Narendra Modi highlights need for 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', says agriculture reforms were 'necessary'

He also raised the issue of farm laws and said agriculture reforms were 'necessary'.

"The post-COVID world is turning out to be very different," Modi said in his reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in Loksabha.

"We will need to emerge as a strong player in that world. In such times, remaining isolated from the global trends will be counter-productive. That is why, India is working towards building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, which seeks to further global good," he said.

He said: "We are now a ray of hope for the world."

He even raised the issue of the farm laws and targeted the Congress party by saying: "It is talking whether the laws are black or white. However, it should also talk about the intent and content of the laws."

 He said the agriculture reforms are 'important and necessary'.

Modi said: "This House, our Government and we all respect the farmers who are voicing their views on the farm bills. This is the reason why topmost Ministers of the Government are constantly talking to them. There is great respect for the farmers."

He said, " After the Laws relating to agriculture were passed by Parliament - no Mandi has shut. Likewise, MSP has remained. Procurement on MSP has remained. These facts can't be ignored."

Targeting the opposition, he said: "Those who are disrupting the House are doing so as per a well-planned strategy. They are unable to digest that people are seeing through the truth."

"Through their games, the trust of the people can never be won," he said.

Modi said the Indian farmers need to produce those things that world markets need.

"I am hopful the farmers of India will become powerful," he said.

The Congress members, meawhile, walked out of the Parliament while Modi addressed in the Lok Sabha.