NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India is steadily emerging as a decisive force in shaping the future global order, asserting that despite wars, supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty across the world, the country is moving forward with confidence on its journey towards becoming a developed nation.
Addressing the NXT Conclave 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the Prime Minister described the current moment as a historic phase in India’s development and drew a symbolic connection with one of the most significant milestones in the country’s freedom movement.
Nearly a century later, he said, March 12 holds special significance in India’s history, as it was on this day in 1930 that Mahatma Gandhi began the iconic Dandi March from Sabarmati Ashram — a turning point in the freedom struggle that united the country around the goal of independence.
India has embarked on another historic journey — the journey towards “Viksit Bharat”, or a developed India.
“Our goal is one and our destination is one — Viksit Bharat,” the Prime Minister said. “Just as the Dandi March united the nation with a common purpose, today the entire country is moving forward with the shared aspiration of building a developed India.”
He added that platforms such as the NXT Conclave play an important role in shaping ideas and solutions that contribute to this national mission.
INDIA GAINING GLOBAL ATTENTION
Modi said the current global environment is marked by unprecedented challenges, including wars, geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global supply chains. Questions are also being raised about the effectiveness of global institutions that were once seen as pillars of international cooperation.
Despite these difficulties, he said, India continues to grow and strengthen its position on the global stage.
“Today, at this important moment in history, the country being discussed the most across the world is India,” the Prime Minister said.
He noted that several global leaders have highlighted India’s growing importance in shaping the future world order.
Referring to recent international visits and interactions, Modi said Finland’s President Alexander Stubb recently observed that the direction of the world would increasingly be shaped by the Global South, with India playing a decisive role.
Similarly, he cited remarks by Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, who said the centre of gravity of the global economy is gradually shifting towards India. French President Emmanuel Macron, he added, has also described India as an indispensable partner in addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges.
“If you want to be part of the future, you have to connect with India,” Modi said.
AT A GLANCE | KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM PM MODI’S ADDRESS AT NXT CONCLAVE 2026
-
VIKSIT BHARAT VISION: Central national goal. A historic journey towards becoming a developed nation.
-
HISTORIC CONTEXT: Linked to March 12, 1930. A new national movement for development.
-
RISING GLOBAL ROLE: A key force shaping the future world order & the Global South.
-
‘NEXT LEVEL’ DEVELOPMENT: Next phase of growth. Next-gen infrastructure, reforms, digital transformation.
-
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: World leader in real-time digital payments. Powered by UPI.
-
KEY STRUCTURAL REFORMS: Article 370 Abrogation, 50+ crore Jan Dhan accounts, Abolishing Triple Talaq, Women’s Reservation.
-
TECHNOLOGICAL LEAP: Frontier sectors: Space, Semiconductors, Quantum tech.
-
ENERGY SECURITY STRATEGY: Two-pronged approach: Expand infrastructure, Self-reliance in energy.
-
EXPANSION IN LPG ACCESS: Domestic connections: 14 crore (2014) → 33+ crore (today).
-
GAS INFRASTRUCTURE GROWTH: LNG terminals doubled. Gas pipeline: 10,000 km. PNG connections: 1.25+ crore. CNG: 70+ lakh vehicles.
-
STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVES: Over 5 million tonnes of crude oil storage for emergencies.
-
RENEWABLE ENERGY PUSH: Total capacity: 250+ GW. Solar power: 2 GW (2014) → 130+ GW.
-
BIOFUEL EXPANSION: Ethanol blending: ~20%. Saving ₹1.5 lakh crore in crude imports.
-
RAIL ELECTRIFICATION: Nearly entire broad-gauge network electrified. Saving 1.8 billion litres diesel.
-
SUPPORT FOR FARMERS: Urea provided at ₹300 per bag despite global price spikes.
-
WARNING AGAINST RUMOURS: Prevent panic over LPG supply. Avoid black marketing and rumours.
-
DECLINE IN MAOIST VIOLENCE: Affected districts: 100+ → single digits. Thousands of surrenders.
-
ASPIRATIONS OF 1.4 BILLION: Growing confidence. Driving India to a self-reliant nation.
RISING ASPIRATIONS DRIVING GROWTH
According to the Prime Minister, growing global confidence in India is closely linked to the rising aspirations of the country’s citizens.
Using a light-hearted analogy with cricket, Modi said Indians often keep track of match scores even during busy meetings or presentations.
He said a similar curiosity now exists about the performance of India’s economy, with people eager to know how it is progressing month by month.
“I do not remember such widespread curiosity about the economy earlier,” he said, adding that this reflects the confidence and ambition of the Indian people.
He noted that when the world places such hope in India, the country’s responsibilities also increase.
INDIA ENTERING A NEW PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT
The Prime Minister emphasised that India today is not merely progressing but entering a new phase of development driven by next-generation infrastructure, reforms and technology.
“India is not just progressing, India is moving to the next,” he said.
He highlighted the rapid expansion of both physical and digital infrastructure in the country. Initiatives such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) have transformed digital payments and positioned India as the world’s fastest-growing real-time digital payments ecosystem.
At the same time, the government has implemented major structural reforms that were once considered politically or administratively impossible.
Among these, Modi cited the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the expansion of banking access through more than 50-crore Jan Dhan accounts, the abolition of the practice of triple talaq and the passage of legislation providing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
“These were once considered impossible decisions,” he said.
India is also advancing rapidly in frontier technologies such as space exploration, semiconductor manufacturing and quantum computing.
From lunar missions to new semiconductor initiatives, Modi said India is steadily positioning itself at the forefront of global technological innovation.
RESPONDING TO GLOBAL CRISES
The Prime Minister said a nation’s progress is also defined by how it responds to crises.
In recent years, the world has faced a series of disruptions, beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic and followed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. More recently, the war in West Asia has triggered a larger global energy crisis affecting countries across the world.
“In such difficult times, the strength of a nation is tested,” Modi said.
He emphasised that overcoming crises requires calm, patience and cooperation across all sections of society — including political parties, media, industry, social organisations and citizens.
Recalling India’s response during the pandemic, he said collective effort helped the country overcome the crisis.
“When everyone moves together, the nation’s strength multiplies,” he said.
STRATEGY FOR ENERGY SECURITY
The Prime Minister outlined a two-pronged strategy adopted by the government to strengthen India’s energy security.
The first focuses on expanding infrastructure to ensure wider energy access across the country. The second aims to reduce dependence on foreign energy sources by promoting self-reliance.
“First, we are increasing energy access by building infrastructure. Second, we are ensuring that India does not remain dependent only on foreign sources,” he said.
Modi also noted that the government is working continuously with global partners to address supply chain disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts.
EXPANSION IN LPG AND GAS INFRASTRUCTURE
Highlighting progress in the energy sector over the past decade, the Prime Minister said domestic LPG connections have increased from around 14 crore in 2014 to more than 33 crore today.
LPG bottling capacity has doubled, while distribution centres have increased from about 13,000 to more than 25,000.
The number of LNG terminals has also doubled, while the national gas pipeline network has expanded from roughly 3,000 kilometres to nearly 10,000 kilometres.
Households receiving piped natural gas have increased from around 25-26 lakh before 2014 to more than 1.25 crore today.
Similarly, vehicles running on compressed natural gas have risen from fewer than 10 lakh to more than 70 lakh.
These developments have been made possible through the expansion of city gas distribution networks across more than 600 districts.
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND BIOFUEL PUSH
Modi said the government has also taken major steps to reduce dependence on imported petroleum by promoting renewable energy and biofuels.
Ethanol blending in petrol, which was around 1-2 per cent before 2014, is now approaching 20 per cent.
Without this initiative, he said, India would have needed to import an additional 180 million barrels of crude oil over the past decade.
Today, ethanol blending alone is helping the country reduce oil imports by about 40 million barrels annually, saving roughly 1.5 lakh crore.
India’s renewable energy capacity has crossed 250 gigawatts, while solar power capacity has increased dramatically from about 2 gigawatts in 2014 to more than 130 gigawatts.
Programmes such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana have enabled nearly 30 lakh households to install rooftop solar panels.
The Gobardhan scheme is also promoting compressed biogas production, with over 100 plants operational and more under development.
RAIL ELECTRIFICATION AND STRATEGIC RESERVES
The Prime Minister highlighted the electrification of the railway network as another major step in reducing fossil fuel consumption.
Although electrification began decades ago, only about 20 per cent of the network had been electrified by 2014. Today, nearly the entire broad-gauge railway network has been electrified.
This has enabled Indian Railways to save about 1.8 billion litres of diesel annually.
India has also strengthened its strategic petroleum reserves, which now exceed five million tonnes, ensuring greater preparedness for supply disruptions.
The country has also expanded its refining capacity by more than 40 million tonnes annually over the past decade.
PROTECTING CITIZENS FROM GLOBAL DISRUPTIONS
The Prime Minister said the government remains committed to ensuring that global crises do not impose an excessive burden on Indian citizens.
He cited the example of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, when fertiliser prices surged globally.
Despite international prices reaching nearly 3,000 per bag, the government continued to supply urea to Indian farmers at around 300 per bag.
“We will make every effort to ensure that the burden of global crises does not fall on our farmers and citizens,” he said.
WARNING AGAINST RUMOURS AND BLACK MARKETING
Modi criticised attempts to create panic regarding LPG supply during the global crisis, saying such actions harm the country.
He urged state governments to remain vigilant against black marketing and the spread of rumours.
“It is important that black marketing is prevented and rumours do not spread. Strict monitoring and strong action are necessary,” he said.
INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY GAINS
The Prime Minister also highlighted efforts to bring development to historically neglected regions through programmes such as the Aspirational Districts Programme, Aspirational Blocks Programme and the PM Janman scheme.
He said these initiatives aim to improve infrastructure, healthcare, education and connectivity in remote areas.
Modi also pointed to the sharp decline in Maoist violence across the country.
In 2013, more than 100 districts were affected by Maoist insurgency. Today, the number has reduced to single digits.
Over the past year alone, more than 2,100 Maoists have surrendered, more than 900 have been arrested and over 300 militants have been neutralised by security forces.
As a result, regions once dominated by fear are now witnessing renewed development.
ASPIRATIONS OF 1.4 BILLION INDIANS
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister said the aspirations of India’s 1.4 billion citizens are now driving the country’s progress.
“When one dream is fulfilled, new dreams emerge,” he said, adding that he views these expectations not as a burden but as a symbol of public trust.
Reiterating his vision for the future, Modi said India will become self-reliant across sectors and will achieve the goal of becoming a developed nation.
“India will become self-reliant in every sector. India will become a developed nation in every circumstance,” he said.