Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference: India’s economic ambitions, industrial confidence, and long-term reform agenda took center stage in western India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra region in Rajkot. The high-profile gathering brought together global investors, policymakers, industry leaders, diplomats, and innovators, reinforcing Gujarat’s role as one of the strongest engines driving India’s transformation into a developed nation.
Addressing a packed audience, Prime Minister Modi described India as the world’s fastest-growing large economy, underlining that at a time when much of the world faces uncertainty, India is progressing with clarity, confidence, and consistency. He framed the conference not merely as an investment event but as a living symbol of India’s 21st-century growth story—one shaped by reforms, performance, and transformation.
The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, dedicated specifically to Kutch and Saurashtra, marked a strategic evolution of the Vibrant Gujarat initiative, taking its globally recognized platform deeper into regional India and aligning local strengths with national and international opportunities.
A Symbolic Beginning: Faith, Heritage, and Development
The Prime Minister opened his address by sharing that this was his first visit to Gujarat in 2026, beginning the day with prayers at the revered Somnath Temple before arriving in Rajkot. The symbolism, he said, reflected Gujarat’s unique identity—where development and heritage progress together.
From ancient maritime trade routes to cutting-edge clean energy projects, Gujarat embodies the philosophy of “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi”—economic growth alongside cultural preservation. This dual identity, Modi noted, is now being projected globally through platforms such as the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference.
Welcoming delegates from India and abroad, he emphasized that the presence of global investors, diplomats, and institutions demonstrated the growing trust the world places in India’s economic direction.
Vibrant Gujarat: From a Bold Idea to a Global Benchmark
Prime Minister Modi traced the origins of the Vibrant Gujarat initiative to its early days, recalling how it began as an effort to introduce Gujarat’s potential to the world. Over two decades later, it has evolved into a global benchmark for investment summits, with ten successful editions that have steadily expanded in scale, credibility, and impact.
What began as an invitation to invest in Gujarat has grown into a platform for international cooperation, innovation, and partnership. Today, Vibrant Gujarat brings together:
- Global corporations and Indian conglomerates
- MSMEs and start-ups
- Cooperatives and family-run enterprises
- Multilateral institutions and global financial bodies
- Universities, research institutions, and policy think tanks
According to the Prime Minister, this diversity has made Vibrant Gujarat one of the most inclusive and forward-looking investment platforms in the world.
The Regional Focus: Unlocking Gujarat’s Untapped Potential
The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference represents a new chapter in this journey. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, the regional format focuses on unlocking the unique strengths of individual parts of the state.
Modi explained that Gujarat’s regions differ widely in geography, resources, and economic character:
- Coastal belts with maritime and port potential
- Tribal regions rich in culture and minerals
- Industrial clusters with deep manufacturing expertise
- Agricultural zones with strong farming and dairy ecosystems
By tailoring investment strategies to each region, the Regional Conference aims to convert latent potential into measurable performance.
Kutch and Saurashtra, he emphasized, are prime examples of regions that have rewritten their destinies through resilience, innovation, and hard work.
From Adversity to Opportunity: The Transformation of Kutch and Saurashtra
Recalling the early years of this century, Prime Minister Modi spoke candidly about the challenges once faced by these regions. Kutch endured a devastating earthquake, while large parts of Saurashtra struggled with prolonged droughts, water scarcity, and unreliable electricity.
For many families, daily life involved walking long distances for drinking water, uncertain livelihoods, and limited economic opportunities. At the time, few believed that conditions could change dramatically.
Yet today, those hardships have given way to a remarkable transformation. For young people in their twenties, those stories now feel like distant history.
According to Modi, the people of Kutch and Saurashtra changed their fate through discipline, determination, and entrepreneurship, turning adversity into a foundation for growth.
Anchors of India’s Manufacturing and Self-Reliance Drive
Once viewed as peripheral regions, Kutch and Saurashtra are now central to India’s industrial ambitions. They play a critical role in the country’s push toward Atmanirbhar Bharat—self-reliance in manufacturing, technology, and supply chains.
Rajkot alone hosts more than 250,000 MSMEs, producing everything from basic tools to highly sophisticated components used in:
- Automobiles and luxury vehicles
- Aerospace and defense equipment
- Industrial machinery and robotics
- Precision engineering and electronics
The region’s manufacturing ecosystem spans the entire value chain—from cost-efficient production to advanced, high-precision engineering—making it attractive to both domestic and international investors.
The globally recognized jewelry industry of Saurashtra further showcases the region’s ability to combine traditional skills with modern scale and global market integration.
Circular Economy Leadership: Alang and Beyond
Highlighting Gujarat’s leadership in sustainability, the Prime Minister pointed to Alang, home to the world’s largest ship-breaking yard. Nearly one-third of the world’s ships are recycled here, making it a cornerstone of the global circular economy.
Similarly, Morbi district has emerged as one of the world’s largest tile manufacturing hubs, combining cost competitiveness with international quality standards.
Modi recalled a vision he once articulated—that Morbi, Jamnagar, and Rajkot would form a manufacturing triangle comparable to industrial regions in Japan. What was once met with skepticism is now becoming reality.
Dholera: India’s Gateway to Future Technologies
A major highlight of the conference was the Dholera Special Investment Region, which is rapidly emerging as a flagship destination for advanced manufacturing.
India’s first semiconductor fabrication facility is being established in Dholera, positioning Gujarat at the forefront of global electronics and chip manufacturing. With ready infrastructure, clear policies, and long-term planning, Dholera offers investors a rare combination of speed, stability, and scalability.
Green Growth and Energy Security
The Prime Minister devoted significant attention to Gujarat’s leadership in renewable energy and sustainability. Kutch is home to what will become the world’s largest hybrid renewable energy park, with a planned capacity of 30 gigawatts—five times the size of Paris.
The region is also emerging as a hub for:
- Green hydrogen production
- Large-scale battery energy storage systems
- Grid-stabilizing clean energy infrastructure
These initiatives, Modi said, prove that India’s commitment to clean energy is not symbolic but commercially viable and globally competitive.
Ports, Logistics, and Global Trade
World-class ports form another pillar of the region’s growth. Mundra and Pipavav ports have become major gateways for India’s exports, including automobiles—nearly 175,000 vehicles were shipped through Gujarat’s ports last year alone.
Beyond logistics, port-led development has opened investment opportunities across:
- Manufacturing
- Warehousing and cold storage
- Fisheries and seafood processing
- Export-oriented industrial zones
The Gujarat government, Modi added, is placing special emphasis on building a robust fisheries ecosystem to support coastal livelihoods and attract global investors.
Building an Industry-Ready Workforce
According to the Prime Minister, infrastructure alone is not enough. An industry-ready workforce is today’s most critical requirement, and Gujarat offers investors strong assurance on this front.
Institutions such as:
- Kaushalya Skill University
- National Defence University
- Gati Shakti University
are preparing young Indians for future-oriented careers in manufacturing, logistics, defense, and emerging technologies. International collaborations with universities from Australia and Singapore further strengthen the talent pipeline.
With foreign universities increasingly choosing Gujarat as their Indian base, the state is becoming a hub for global education and research.
Tourism, Culture, and Soft Power
Beyond industry, Gujarat offers a complete tourism experience—combining nature, heritage, adventure, and spirituality.
From the ancient dockyard of Lothal to the white sands of Shivrajpur Beach, from the Rann Utsav in Kutch to the Asiatic lions of Gir, the state attracts millions of visitors each year. Coastal destinations like Dwarka, Somnath, Mandvi, and nearby Diu are opening new possibilities for sustainable beach tourism and water sports.
The Reform Express: India’s Next-Generation Reforms
Prime Minister Modi described India’s reform journey as a “Reform Express”—moving rapidly across sectors to prepare the nation for long-term growth.
Recent reforms include:
- Next-generation GST improvements benefiting MSMEs
- 100% FDI in insurance to expand coverage
- Modernization of income tax laws after decades
- Landmark labor reforms integrating wages, social security, and industry needs
- Opening civil nuclear energy to private participation through the SHANTI Act
These reforms, he assured investors, are institutional in nature and irreversible.
Industry Voices: Confidence in India’s Direction
Prominent industrialists echoed the Prime Minister’s vision.
Parakramsinh G. Jadeja, CMD of Jyoti CNC Automation, announced major investments in manufacturing, R&D, and skills, crediting Modi’s leadership for transforming India into a manufacturing powerhouse.
Karan Adani, MD of Adani Ports and SEZ, highlighted Gujarat’s global connectivity and announced ₹1.5 lakh crore in investments in Kutch over five years.
B.K. Goenka, Chairman of Welspun Group, recalled how early faith in Kutch transformed Welspun into a global leader supplying major markets in the US and UK.
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, announced plans to double Reliance’s investments in Gujarat to ₹7 lakh crore, including clean energy, AI-ready data centers, healthcare, education, and sports infrastructure.
Global Participation and Strategic Partnerships
International leaders reinforced Gujarat’s global relevance.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner highlighted strong India-Rwanda ties and invited Indian investment across sectors.
Ukraine’s Ambassador emphasized Gujarat’s development model and invited Indian companies to participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction and industrial partnerships.
A Decentralized Growth Model for Viksit Bharat 2047
The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference is part of a broader strategy to decentralize development and ensure that every region contributes to India’s growth story.
With upcoming regional conferences planned for South and Central Gujarat, and成果 to be showcased at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027, the initiative reflects a long-term commitment to inclusive, region-specific development.
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Conclusion: The Right Time, The Right Place
As Prime Minister Modi concluded, the message from Rajkot was clear: this is the right time.
For investors, innovators, and global partners, the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference reaffirmed that Kutch and Saurashtra are no longer emerging regions—they are anchors of India’s future.
Every rupee invested here, Modi assured, will not only generate strong returns but also contribute to shaping India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Speaking at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for Kutch and Saurashtra Region.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2026
https://t.co/4LDjmAU1gy
India is the world's fastest-growing large economy. pic.twitter.com/HlhiPzjkNx
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 11, 2026
The fact sheet on India's growth is a success story of the Reform-Perform-Transform mantra. pic.twitter.com/NVqWs8UqW7
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 11, 2026
At a time of great global uncertainty, India is moving ahead with remarkable certainty. pic.twitter.com/bbvyoIlFmz
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 11, 2026
Along with infrastructure, an industry-ready workforce is today's biggest need. pic.twitter.com/dNnMFn6lr8
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 11, 2026
Today's India is moving rapidly towards becoming a developed nation. The Reform Express is playing a crucial role in achieving this objective. pic.twitter.com/nKpNTNtR6E
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 11, 2026
