India is certain, while the world is uncertain: Modi’s major statement in Rajkot during Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference

“At a time of great global uncertainty, India is moving ahead with remarkable certainty,” Modi said.

Recalling his long association with the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, Modi said the initiative began with the goal of showcasing Gujarat’s potential to the world and attracting global investment. Over time, he noted, the summit has evolved beyond an investment platform into a forum for global growth, international cooperation, and strategic partnerships.

He highlighted that the number of global partners has steadily increased, making the summit a strong example of inclusivity. Corporate groups, cooperatives, MSMEs, start-ups, multilateral and bilateral institutions, and international financial organisations now come together to engage in dialogue and collaborate on Gujarat’s development journey.

Modi said that over the past two decades, the summit has consistently introduced innovative ideas, with the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Summit being the latest addition. The focus of the regional format, he explained, is to convert the untapped potential of different regions into tangible performance.

Photo : PIB

Each region of Gujarat, he noted, has distinct strengths—ranging from long coastlines and tribal belts to industrial clusters, agriculture, and animal husbandry. The Regional Summit is designed to harness these region-specific advantages.

Observing that a quarter of the 21st century has already passed, Modi said India has made rapid progress in recent years, with Gujarat and its people playing a significant role. He reiterated that India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy, with global expectations from the country continuing to rise.

Highlighting India’s economic fundamentals, Modi said the country remains the fastest-growing major economy, with inflation under control, record agricultural output, leadership in milk and generic medicine production, and status as the world’s largest vaccine producer.

“India’s growth fact sheet is the success story of the mantra Reform, Perform and Transform,” he said, noting that India is now the world’s largest consumer of mobile data, home to the leading real-time digital payments platform through UPI, and the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer globally.

He added that India has the third-largest start-up ecosystem, ranks among the top three in solar power generation, aviation markets, and metro rail networks.

Citing growing international confidence, Modi said institutions such as the IMF have called India the engine of global growth, while S&P and Fitch have praised India’s macroeconomic stability and fiscal credibility. This trust, he stressed, is driven by political stability, policy continuity, and a rapidly expanding neo-middle class.

Referring to his Red Fort address, Modi reiterated, “This is the time, the right time,” urging investors to seize opportunities in India and particularly in Saurashtra and Kutch.

Reflecting on the transformation of the region, Modi recalled the devastating earthquake in Kutch and years of drought in Saurashtra. He said the younger generation now only hears stories of those hardships, as the regions have emerged as anchor growth engines for India, playing a vital role in the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission and global manufacturing.

He highlighted that Rajkot alone hosts over 2.5 lakh MSMEs, manufacturing everything from basic tools to high-precision components for automobiles, aircraft, fighter jets, and rockets. The region, he said, supports the entire manufacturing value chain, while its jewellery industry enjoys global recognition.

Modi also cited Alang, home to the world’s largest ship-breaking yard, as a testament to India’s leadership in the circular economy, and Morbi as a globally competitive tile-manufacturing hub. Recalling his earlier vision of Morbi, Jamnagar, and Rajkot forming a “Mini Japan,” Modi said that vision is now becoming a reality.

Expressing pride in the Dholera Special Investment Region, he said India’s first semiconductor fabrication facility is being set up there, offering early-mover advantages in future technologies with ready infrastructure and predictable policies.

Modi said Saurashtra and Kutch are emerging as major centres of green growth and energy security, with a 30 GW renewable energy park in Kutch set to become the world’s largest hybrid energy park. The region is also developing hubs for green hydrogen and battery energy storage systems.