The speed and scale at which Bharat is progressing in every sector today is unprecedented. Bharat’s pace and scale are unparalleled. Bharat today is both a developing country and an emerging power. We understand the challenges of poverty and know how to carve a path of progress. Our government is rapidly formulating policies, making decisions, and introducing new reforms.

The ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) resolution by 2047 reflects this mindset. We need to assess how far we have come towards achieving this resolve of a ‘Viksit Bharat’, how much more we need to do, and at what speed and scale we must work. This isn’t just a government decision with set targets. Today, 1.4 billion people of Bharat are part of this resolve for a ‘Viksit Bharat’, and they are driving it themselves.

This is not just a campaign of public participation but also a movement of Bharat’s self-confidence. When the government started working on the vision document for a ‘Viksit Bharat’, millions of people sent in their suggestions. Debates and discussions took place in schools, colleges, and universities. Government and social organisations conducted debates. Based on the suggestions received from the public, Bharat set its goals for the next 25 years. Discussions on ‘Viksit Bharat’ have now become part of our consciousness. I believe this is the greatest example of building ‘Rashtra Shakti’ (national strength) through ‘Jan Shakti’ (people’s power).

Today, Bharat has another advantage, one that is crucial in making this century Bharat’s century. You all know that this is the era of AI. The present and future of the world are tied to AI. But Bharat has the advantage of double AI power. In the world’s view, AI means Artificial Intelligence, but we also have another AI—Aspirational India. When the power of Aspirational Bharat combines with Artificial Intelligence, the speed of development naturally accelerates.

For us, AI is not just a technology; it is a new gateway to opportunities for Bharat’s youth. This year, we launched the Bharat AI Mission. Whether it’s healthcare, education, or start-ups, Bharat is increasing the use of AI in every sector. We are also working on providing better AI solutions to the world.

Bharat is equally serious about the other AI—Aspirational Bharat. Whether it’s the middle class, the common people, their ease of living, their quality of life, small entrepreneurs, MSMEs, the youth, or women—we are formulating policies and making decisions with everyone’s aspirations in mind.

One example of Aspirational Bharat is the excellent work being done in connectivity. We have focused heavily on fast physical connectivity and inclusive connectivity. This is essential for a society with development aspirations. For Bharat, this is even more crucial. Such a large country, with such diverse geography, needs to be rapidly connected to truly realize its potential.

That’s why we also focused on air travel. We moved forward and launched the UDAN scheme. Today, UDAN has completed eight years. Under UDAN, we worked on two pillars. First, we built a new network of airports in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Second, we made air travel affordable and accessible for everyone. So far, around 300,000 flights have taken off under UDAN, with 10.5 million common citizens traveling. Today, over 600 routes operate under UDAN, most of which connect smaller cities. In 2014, Bharat had around 70 airports; today, the number of airports has crossed 150. The UDAN scheme has shown how societal aspiration fuels development.

Today, Bharat is leading the way in shaping the global future in many areas. The world sees Bharat as a reliable partner in times of crisis. Remember the days of COVID—our capacity to produce essential medicines and vaccines could have earned us billions of dollars, which would have benefited Bharat, but humanity would have lost. That’s not our ethos. We provided medicines and life-saving vaccines to hundreds of countries in their time of need. I am satisfied that Bharat could contribute to the world during difficult times.

Bharat does not build relationships that are taken for granted. Our relationships are based on trust and reliability, and the world understands this. Bharat is a country whose progress brings joy to the world. When Bharat succeeds, the world feels good about it. Take the recent Chandrayaan mission, for example. The entire world celebrated it like a festival. When Bharat progresses, it does not evoke feelings of jealousy or envy. Instead, the world feels happy because Bharat’s progress benefits the entire world.

We all know how Bharat was a positive force driving global growth in the past. How Bharat’s ideas, innovations, and products left a lasting impact on the world for centuries. But then times changed, and Bharat endured a long period of colonization, causing us to fall behind. During the Industrial Revolution, Bharat was also colonized, which prevented us from benefiting from industrial revolutions. That time slipped from Bharat’s hands, but today, this is Bharat’s time.

Bharat has introduced a new technological model to the world. Bharat democratized technology, showing a new path through Digital Public Infrastructure. In Bharat today, the government builds a platform, and millions of new innovations occur on it. Our JAM connectivity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile—has become a fantastic system for faster and leakage-free delivery of services. Take our UPI, for example. Fintech has seen tremendous growth in Bharat due to UPI. Every day, more than 500 million digital transactions are happening, driven not by corporations but by our small shopkeepers and street vendors. Our PM Gati Shakti platform is helping transform our logistics ecosystem. Similarly, our ONDC platform is proving to be an innovation that democratizes and brings transparency to online retail. Bharat has shown that digital innovation and democratic values can coexist. we have demonstrated that technology is a tool for inclusion, transparency, and empowerment, not for control and division.

Our contribution to global climate change is minimal, yet we have made the green transition the fuel for our growth. Today, sustainability is at the core of our development planning.

Along with stability and sustainability, Bharat is now focusing on solutions. Over the past decade, Bharat has worked on many solutions essential for tackling global challenges. Whether it’s the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the India-Middle East Economic Corridor, the Global Biofuel Alliance, yoga, Ayurveda, Mission LiFE, or Mission Millets—every initiative taken by Bharat is providing solutions to the world’s challenges.

I am happy that Bharat’s growing capabilities are ensuring the world’s betterment. The more Bharat progresses, the more the world will benefit. Our aim is for Bharat’s century to be not just Bharat’s victory but a victory for all humanity.