Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he is still optimistic of achieving the target of five trillion dollar economy by 2024 despite COVID-19.
 
In an interview to an English Daily, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said  Indian economy is getting back on track faster than expected and the recent reforms  are signal to the world  that  new India  believes in markets and market forces. 
 
Mr Modi said, government will take all measures to constantly stimulate the economy in a timely manner while ensuring overall macro-economic stability.

Mr. Modi expressed confidence that recent labour reforms undertaken  by the government will help in increasing the growth rate and returns in both the manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

Mr Modi said, the government has laid strong foundations to make India the foremost manufacturing destination and it will continue  its reforms.
 
Quoting Moody’s, the PM said 154 greenfield projects from the US have come to India in 2020, compared to 86 in China, 12 in Vietnam and 15 in Malaysia.
 

This is a clear indication of global confidence in India’s growth story going forward.  

Mr Modi said, India has taken a science-driven approach in response to COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The pro-active measures taken in the early stages of the virus has helped government to prepare the defence against the pandemic and India has the lowest Covid-19 mortality rates in the world.

The Prime Minister said, the pandemic has affected 130 crore people and both the government and the citizenry are working together to combat it. 

He, however, added that the virus is still out there. Mr. Modi also assured the nation that as and when a vaccine becomes available everyone will be vaccinated and none will be left behind.  

The Prime Minister also talked about various measures taken by the government during this COVID period like PM Garib Kalyan package, distribution of free foodgrain and Shramik Special trains adding that free foodgrain and pulses to 800 million people for eight months is a programme without parallel in human history.