Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on India’s automobile industry to strengthen its focus on innovation, excellence and global competitiveness as the country’s mobility ecosystem undergoes a significant transformation.
Speaking through a special message at the 66th Annual Convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Prime Minister Modi highlighted the important role of the automotive sector in advancing India’s vision of a developed nation, or ‘Viksit Bharat’.
“India’s automobile industry is well placed to further expand its global presence as the country’s mobility ecosystem undergoes a fundamental transformation,” the Prime Minister said.
He emphasised that sustained innovation, a strong pursuit of excellence and a bold approach towards Viksit Bharat could create transformative opportunities for the automotive industry. According to Modi, these efforts will also help accelerate India’s transition towards a faster, greener and more self-reliant mobility ecosystem.
The Prime Minister’s message comes at a time when India’s automotive industry is witnessing rapid changes driven by electrification, localisation, technological advancements and evolving mobility needs. The sector is increasingly expected to play a central role in strengthening domestic manufacturing while enhancing India’s position in global automotive value chains.
With continued investments in new technologies, cleaner mobility solutions and manufacturing capabilities, the Indian auto industry is poised to contribute significantly to the country’s broader economic and industrial ambitions.
Chief Guest Mr Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, mentioned, “With quality, innovation, research and competitive pricing, India has the potential to become the largest automobile industry in the world, with the sector playing a key role in Viksit Bharat. We should also encourage the expansion of driver training centres, vehicle fitness centres and vehicle scrapping centres, which can contribute to the economy as well.”
In his video message, Guest of Honour Mr H. D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, Government of India, said, “The Indian automobile industry is strengthening its domestic capabilities and advancing vehicle technologies, creating a strong foundation to transform the local market into a global hub. The sector will continue to grow as a cleaner, more inclusive and globally competitive industry, contributing meaningfully to the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal.”
Mr Shailesh Chandra, President, SIAM and Managing Director & CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle Ltd. added, “The Indian Automobile Industry continues to play a defining role in shaping India’s Amrit Kaal, contributing significantly to realising the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. Alongside this progress, significant strides have been made in aligning with global and national priorities of sustainability, decarbonisation, and safety.”
In his concluding remarks, Mr Shenu Agarwal, Vice President, SIAM and Managing Director & CEO, Ashok Leyland Ltd., highlighted, “The Indian automobile industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience, and India can simultaneously become a large mobility market, a global manufacturing hub and a technology leader. But the next phase of this journey will require looking beyond growth alone, with sustainability and resilience going hand in hand.”
The session concluded with a shared commitment to building resilience in sustainable mobility, harnessing technology to strengthen global competitiveness and advancing India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat.
