New Delhi, Mar 3 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called on industry leaders, investors and state governments to align with the union Budget’s growth vision, emphasising quality manufacturing, stronger exports and sustainable development as key pillars for building a developed India.
Addressing the second session of the post-budget webinar series titled “Sustaining and Strengthening Economic Growth,” Modi said the large-scale participation in discussions on budget implementation reflected a “very successful experiment” in collaborative governance. “Such large-scale discussion on the budget is, in itself, a very successful experiment,” he said, welcoming thousands of participants and subject experts who joined the virtual event.
The Prime Minister framed the discussions against the backdrop of India’s expanding global role and shifting international supply chains. “Our direction is clear, our resolve is clear: Build more, produce more, connect more — and now the need is to export more,” he said, adding that the ideas emerging from the deliberations would play a significant role in sustaining economic momentum.
Modi highlighted that manufacturing, logistics, MSMEs, cottage industries and urban centres may appear distinct but are deeply interconnected. Strong manufacturing boosts exports, competitive MSMEs enhance innovation and flexibility, improved logistics reduce costs, and well-planned cities attract both talent and investment, he said, noting that the current Budget had sought to strengthen each of these pillars.
Stressing that policy direction alone does not guarantee results, the Prime Minister urged industry, financial institutions and state governments to work together to ensure effective implementation. He encouraged participants to prioritise strategies for raising manufacturing output, making cost structures globally competitive, accelerating investment flows and ensuring that growth reaches every corner of the country.
In the manufacturing sector, Modi pointed to efforts to build core industrial capabilities and address bottlenecks. He cited initiatives such as Dedicated Rare Earth Corridors and container manufacturing to strengthen the trade ecosystem. He also referred to the BioPharma Shakti Mission announced in the Budget, aimed at positioning India as a global hub for biologics and next-generation therapies, and moving towards leadership in advanced biopharma research and manufacturing.
At a time when global companies are seeking reliable and resilient manufacturing partners, Modi said India has a significant opportunity. “The era of being conservative about research spending is over,” he asserted, urging stakeholders to invest confidently in new technologies and research. Reiterating his emphasis on standards, he said, “As opportunities arise for us to move forward, we should have only one mantra: Quality, Quality, Quality.”
Referring to the Free Trade Agreements India has signed with several countries, the Prime Minister said a “vast gateway of opportunities” had opened, but warned that these gains could only be realised if Indian products meet and exceed global standards. He underlined the need to understand the preferences and expectations of international consumers. “If someone is building a massive ship and requires a small component, even that small part may be of critical importance. In today’s competitive world, quality creates golden opportunities for us,” he said.
Modi also highlighted reforms in MSME classification, saying they had removed the fear among enterprises that expansion would lead to loss of government benefits. Efforts to improve credit access, promote technology upgradation and build capacity were ongoing, he added. However, he stressed that real impact would be visible only when MSMEs actively compete with the goal of winning. He urged them to enhance productivity, raise quality standards, adopt digital processes and integrate into stronger value chains.
Infrastructure and logistics, he said, remain core pillars of the government’s growth strategy, with the Budget proposing record capital expenditure. He outlined plans for high-capacity transport systems, improved coordination among railways, highways, ports, airports and waterways, expansion of freight corridors and multimodal connectivity. New waterways, ship repair facilities and regional centres of excellence are intended to strengthen the logistics ecosystem, while seven new high-speed rail corridors are expected to act as growth connectors. “The real benefit of this infrastructure will be realised only when industries and investors align their strategies with this vision,” he noted.
Urbanisation, Modi added, would be critical to India’s long-term development. He said future growth would depend on how effectively cities are planned and managed, and called for ideas on transforming Tier-II and Tier-III cities into new growth anchors.
Touching on sustainability, the Prime Minister observed that global markets now evaluate not only cost but also environmental responsibility. He described the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Mission as an important initiative and urged businesses to make sustainability a core part of their strategy. “Industries that invest in clean technologies in a timely manner will gain better access to new markets in the coming years,” he said.
Modi further stressed that the goal of a developed India requires collective ownership. “The budget has provided the framework; now you must generate momentum together,” he told participants, adding that every suggestion and experience shared in the webinar had the potential to translate into tangible progress on the ground.
