World looks at India as an important pillar of stability: PM Modi at Vibrant Gujarat summit

“India is moving forward in the role of a ‘Vishwa Mitra’ (friend of the world) in a fast-changing world. Today, India has given the world confidence in achieving common collective goals. India’s commitment, efforts and hard work for global welfare is making the world safer and prosperous,” he added, addressing industry captains and visiting dignitaries.

Underlining that leading rating agencies are predicting India will feature in the world’s top three economies in the next few years, the PM said that irrespective of any analysis it is his “guarantee” that the country will achieve that position.

“People across the world can keep doing their analysis but it is my guarantee that this (India among top three world economies) will happen,” he added.

The chief guest on the occasion was UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi, Timor Leste President José Ramos-Horta, Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel among other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister said that India’s priorities are clear. “India’s priorities are sustainable industry, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Today, India’s priorities are new age skills, futuristic technology, AI (artificial intelligence) and innovation, green hydrogen, renewable energy, semiconductors and its ecosystem,” he said.

Explaining the reasons behind India’s growth, Modi said, “All of you are well aware of the global situation. In such a situation, if India’s economy is showing resilience and momentum, it is because of our focus on structural reforms in the last 10 years. These reforms have increased capabilities and competitiveness of the Indian economy.”

“In the last 10 years, India’s Capex has increased five times. India is doing work on alternate energy sources and green energy at unprecedented speed. India’s renewable energy capacity has increased three times and solar energy capacity has increased 20 times,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that the government’s policies have brought a digital revolution in India while changing people’s lives. He said that the change in India is improving people’s ease of living while empowering them.

Modi said more than 13.5 crore people have come out of poverty in the past 10 years and the average income of the middle class and participation of female workforce are increasing constantly. He said a decade ago there were 74 airports in India, which has now gone up to 149. Similarly, the national highway network has doubled and Metro train network has more than tripled.

“I want to assure you that your dreams are Modi’s resolve. The bigger your dream, the bigger my resolve will be. There are many opportunities to see dreams and the ability to fulfill those dreams is also there,” he said.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said there are new possibilities for investors in every corner of India and Vibrant Gujarat Summit is like a gateway for this, a “Gateway to the Future”. “You are not only investing in India but also shaping a new generation of young creators and consumers. Your partnership with the aspirational young generation of India can bring results which you could not have even imagined”, he said.

The theme of this year’s summit is ‘Gateway to the Future’ and includes the participation of 35 partner countries and 16 partner organisations. The summit is also being used as a platform by the Ministry of Development of the North-Eastern Region to showcase investment opportunities in the Northeast region.