PM Modi Highlights Importance of Teamwork Among States for Achieving Investment Goals

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significant interest of global investors in India, urging states to seize this opportunity by eliminating policy hurdles. He emphasised that collaboration between the Union government and states, akin to Team India, can achieve any target. Modi addressed the 10th Governing Council meeting of Niti Aayog, stressing the importance of utilising recent trade agreements with the UK, UAE, and Australia.

Representative image

Niti Aayog CEO B V R Subrahmanyam informed reporters that 31 out of 36 states and Union Territories attended the meeting. Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar, and Puducherry were absent due to prior commitments. The meeting saw maximum participation compared to previous ones. Subrahmanyam noted unanimous support for Operation Sindoor, aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure in Pakistan.

Focus on Investment and Development

Modi urged states to focus on expanding services and manufacturing sectors to generate employment. He stressed the need to remove outdated laws and unnecessary regulations at the state level to create an investor-friendly environment. "States are where action is," he said, encouraging them to develop at least one global-standard tourist destination each to attract international visitors and boost local economies.

The prime minister also called for sustainable urban growth and planned urban development in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. He highlighted the importance of skilling youth for emerging sectors to make them job-ready. Cybersecurity was identified as both a challenge and an opportunity. Hydrogen and green energy were noted as areas with immense potential.

Vision for a Developed India

The theme of the Governing Council meeting was "Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047." Modi stated that achieving a developed India is the aspiration of its 140 crore citizens. He urged states to aim for making each state, city, Nagar Palika, and village developed. "If we work on these lines, we will not have to wait till 2047 to become Viksit Bharat," he said.

Modi suggested creating River Grids at the state level for effective water resource utilisation. He also emphasised modernising civil preparedness approaches and ensuring readiness for any Covid-related challenges by checking oxygen plants and preparations.

Empowering Women in Workforce

Modi stressed the need for laws and policies that integrate women respectfully into the workforce. He encouraged states to focus on agriculture, education, and healthcare sectors. The prime minister asked NITI Aayog to prepare an 'Investment-friendly Charter' to attract investments.

Subrahmanyam mentioned that five states have already released their vision documents following cues from the Union government, while 12 others are close to doing so. The prime minister's call for future-ready cities emphasised growth, innovation, and sustainability as key drivers for urban development.

Modi concluded by reiterating that when every state becomes developed, India will be developed too. This vision aligns with the goal of Vikshit Bharat, aiming for a prosperous nation by 2047.

With inputs from PTI