Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday lauded India's digital and economic reforms, calling the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) a "game-changer" and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) a "model of national economic integration rooted in trust" during his keynote address at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit 2025.
Singh emphasized that both UPI and GST have played transformative roles in enhancing ease of doing business in India while reinforcing the spirit of cooperative federalism.
"GST is not just a tax system; it's a model of national integration built on the foundation of trust between the Centre and States," Singh stated. "Today, all states, union territories, and the central government participate equally in the GST Council - this is a true reflection of democratic governance."
Highlighting UPI's success, Singh described the digital payments platform as more than a technological breakthrough - "a behavioral transformation" that has revolutionized how businesses and citizens transact.
"Many countries are now trying to replicate India's UPI model. This is proof of India's digital leadership on the global stage," he said, noting that the widespread adoption of UPI underscores public trust in a secure, transparent financial system.
In a broader message centered around the theme of trust, Singh argued that trust is a critical pillar holding together families, economies, and nations.
"Trust is one of life's rarest and most valuable assets. It is not a technical term; it's an emotion, an experience - something that makes us human," Singh remarked.
He warned that a growing trust deficit is contributing to geopolitical uncertainties and societal unrest across the globe. In contrast, he credited India's success in recent years to a deliberate policy of fostering trust - among states, communities, and economic classes.
The Defence Minister's remarks align with India's push to position itself as a global digital powerhouse, with UPI and GST serving as flagship reforms that showcase India's innovation and commitment to inclusive growth.
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