India advancing to global leadership: Maha CM

Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS) India is steadily advancing towards global leadership, while Maharashtra is on track to become a trillion‑dollar economy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday during an official reception organised on the eve of Independence Day.

Addressing diplomats, consuls general, international representatives and dignitaries, CM Fadnavis highlighted India’s rapid development, Maharashtra’s economic prowess and the state’s futuristic growth roadmap.

Describing India as one of the world’s most ancient and diverse civilisations built on inclusivity and tolerance, CM Fadnavis emphasised that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the nation has emerged as a confident global decision‑maker. Having reached the position of the world’s fourth‑largest economy, India is poised to surpass the $5‑trillion mark soon. Over the last decade, India has made landmark strides in poverty alleviation, infrastructure expansion, technological innovation and human resource development, noted the Chief Minister.

“Maharashtra continues to serve as the nation’s primary industrial driver, technology hub, startup capital and top investment destination. The Mumbai–Navi Mumbai region is rapidly transforming into the data centre capital of the country,” he said. CM Fadnavis added that the Vadhavan Port is set to reshape India’s maritime strength, as it is three times larger than the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and ranks among the top ten ports globally.

Developing around the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Third Mumbai, the modern urban ecosystem will feature an Education City, MediCity, Innovation City, Sports City, GCC City and new commercial districts. He further stated that the Fourth Mumbai has been planned along the Vadhavan-to-Virar belt, adding that this initiative includes plans for India’s first offshore airport and the third airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), located in Palghar district.

Beyond Mumbai and Pune, new growth centres are rapidly expanding in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Nashik and Ahilyanagar, drawing substantial investments in defence, aviation, clean energy, compressed biogas and advanced technologies, he said.

Expressing confidence in the state’s economic trajectory, CM Fadnavis reaffirmed that Maharashtra is on course to become India’s first sub‑national $1‑trillion economy by 2029–30.

Protocol Minister Jaykumar Rawal said India’s freedom movement rooted values of democracy, equality and justice, with the Constitution standing as its highest expression. He added that under PM Modi’s “Viksit Bharat” vision and CM Fadnavis’ leadership, Maharashtra continues to lead the nation’s financial, industrial and innovation sectors while deepening international ties in trade, technology and green energy.

Deputy Dean of Consular Corps and Polish Consul General Tomasz remarked that India’s remarkable post‑independence progress and expanding global engagement serve as an inspiration to the international community. He said the diplomatic corps remains committed to strengthening cooperation and friendship.

–IANS

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