Panaji, Feb 27 (IANS): There was a time when Indian MPs were falling over each other to touch the then US President Bill Clinton, but today Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents US President Donald Trump to his own American audience, BJP spokesman Sambit Patra said on Wednesday.

Patra, who was in Goa to interact with the civil society at a function organised by BJP's Goa unit, also said that during the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regimes, there were two persons functioning as Prime Ministers which impeded the economic progress of the country.

"Many years ago Bill Clinton had come (to India). MPs were falling over each other, as they all wanted to touch him. We have travelled a long distance (from that)," Patra said.

"We have come from that day to 'Howdy Modi'. Modi goes to America and tells the audience and introduces their president (as) 'I present Trump to you'. These (things) look small, but they affect psychologically. Today we feel America is a friend," Patra said.

The BJP national spokesperson also said that in order to attain the goal of making India a $5 trillion economy, one needed to dream big and shed the "chalta hai" attitude of the UPA years.

"First, we have to dream big. We had a 'chalta hai' (attitude). The UPA PM also had this attitude. Even his cabinet didn't recognise (him). Even 10 Janpath didn't recognise him and his ordinance was torn by his own 'yuvraj' (referring to Rahul Gandhi)," Patra said.

"Sadly, I would say that he was a shadow Prime Minister. There were two Prime Ministers and sadly the country doesn't work (like that)," Patra said.