Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emphasized the need for India to build future-ready cities and accelerate the pace of development across the country. Delivering the opening address at the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, PM Modi urged both the Centre and the states to work collaboratively in the spirit of “Team India” to achieve the country’s developmental goals.
“India is urbanising at a fast pace. Our cities must be prepared for the future. Growth, innovation, and sustainability must become the foundation for urban development,” said the Prime Minister, underlining the critical role cities will play in shaping the country’s long-term progress.
He stressed that the speed of development must be significantly increased, adding, “When the Centre and all States join hands and work in unison, no goal is out of reach.”
Highlighting tourism as a powerful driver of economic growth, PM Modi urged every state to develop at least one world-class tourist destination. “Each state should take up the initiative of ‘One State: One Global Destination’—complete with global-level facilities and infrastructure. This not only boosts tourism but also benefits nearby towns and cities,” he said.
Touching on the broader vision of national progress, PM Modi described the aspiration of 140 crore Indians as one of becoming a developed nation, and said this vision must be shared across states. “Every state must aim to become ‘Viksit’ (developed). Only then can Bharat become ‘Viksit’,” he asserted.
The Prime Minister also focused on improving gender inclusion in India’s economy, calling for greater participation of women in the workforce. “We need to make inclusive policies and create respectful spaces for women’s integration into the workforce. Their contribution is vital for holistic development,” he added.
This year’s Governing Council meeting carries the theme ‘Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat @2047’, reflecting India’s long-term goal of becoming a fully developed country by its 100th year of independence. The platform brings together the Centre and the States/UTs to discuss and strategize on how states can act as pillars in the national development agenda.
Key issues on the table during the meeting include promotion of entrepreneurship, expansion of skill development initiatives, and creation of sustainable employment opportunities across the country.
The meeting is seen as an important step in aligning national and state-level policies toward a unified development roadmap, reinforcing the cooperative federalism model that underpins India’s governance structure.
