2 Years of Narendra Modi govt: I have an enormous task ahead for myself, says PM

In an interview to the Wall Street Journal on completing two years in power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has claimed to have undertaken maximum reforms, while responding to criticism that he failed to pursue "big bang reforms". "I have actually undertaken the maximum reforms," PM Modi said, but added: "I have an enormous task ahead for myself." "Today, unlike before, India is not standing in a corner," Modi said on Wednesday. (Also Read: 2 years of Narendra Modi govt: A look at security related issues)

Modi said that he opened up more of the economy to foreign investment, filled gaps in rural infrastructure, made doing business easier and checked corruption. Modi also said that he expects the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill will be passed this year. The GST bill, a major reform measure, has been stuck in the Rajya Sabha. (Also Read: News Nation survey: Narendra Modi government's 2 year report card)

Narendra Modi will be visiting Washington next month and will meet President Barack Obama and address a joint session of the US Congress. "President Obama had sent me an invitation in March. And later when I went for the Nuclear Security Summit, he had personally requested me. And it was on my request that he had visited India again. Naturally it was my responsibility too. And we've also developed a kind of friendship where we can speak freely with each other," he said. 

Wall Street Journal said two years later, while PM Modi has pursued a "series of incremental, and not always glamorous, changes aimed at re-energizing a struggling economy, he hasn't emerged as the rapid liberalizer that some investors had hoped."

"When I came to the government, I used to sit down with all the experts and ask them to define for me what is the 'big bang' for them. Nobody could tell me," he said on critics accusing him of failing to bring in big bang reforms. ( Also Read: 2 years of Narendra Modi govt: Top 10 flagship schemes)