Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the need for India to transition towards high-value agriculture, dairy and fisheries with a strong export focus, as part of the country’s ambition to become the food basket of the world. Addressing the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries in New Delhi, the Prime Minister highlighted that improving productivity and value addition in agriculture is critical to achieving the broader vision of Viksit Bharat.
The Prime Minister noted that the conference represented another important step in strengthening cooperative federalism and deepening Centre-State collaboration. He underlined that coordinated policymaking and effective implementation between the Centre and States are essential to convert national priorities into measurable development outcomes that directly benefit citizens.
Highlighting the conference’s core theme of “Human Capital for Viksit Bharat,” PM Modi said that human capital—comprising education, skills, health and capabilities—is the most critical driver of economic growth and social progress. He pointed out that nearly 70 percent of India’s population is in the working-age group, presenting a unique demographic advantage that, if properly harnessed, can significantly accelerate the country’s development journey.
PM Modi observed that India has boarded the “Reform Express,” propelled by its young population and a wave of next-generation reforms. He emphasised the importance of quality and excellence in governance, service delivery and manufacturing, stating that the “Made in India” label must stand for global competitiveness. He also called for strengthening Aatmanirbharta through a “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” approach, urging States to work with the Centre to identify products for domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the role of manufacturing and services in employment generation and economic resilience. He said the upcoming National Manufacturing Mission would focus on improving ease of doing business, particularly in areas such as land, utilities and social infrastructure, while encouraging States to attract global companies. In parallel, he called for expanding India’s leadership in services including healthcare, education, tourism, transport, professional services and artificial intelligence.
Concluding his address, PM Modi urged all States and Union Territories to prepare 10-year actionable plans aligned with the conference discussions, with clear targets for one, two, five and ten years. He emphasised the use of technology, data-driven monitoring and capacity building to improve governance outcomes, noting that sustained efforts across agriculture, skilling, manufacturing and services would be key to realising the goal of a developed, inclusive and future-ready India.
