Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reiterated his confidence that India would emerge as one of the world's three largest economies, host the Olympic Games and send an Indian astronaut to the Moon, describing these ambitions as achievable through sustained national effort and collective determination.
Addressing a gathering in Chennai, Modi invoked the spirit of "We will do it" while outlining his government's long-term objectives, including transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, strengthening domestic manufacturing and expanding the country's technological capabilities.
The Prime Minister said India's aspirations extended beyond economic growth to establishing itself as a major global centre for manufacturing, innovation, sporting excellence and space exploration. He emphasised that achieving these objectives would require coordinated efforts by the government, industry, institutions and citizens.
Vision for developed India
Modi reiterated his government's commitment to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, which seeks to transform India into a developed economy by the centenary of Independence. The Prime Minister has identified economic expansion, self-reliance and manufacturing competitiveness as central elements of that ambition.
Earlier this week, while reflecting on 25 years of continuous service as the head of a government, first in Gujarat and subsequently at the Centre, Modi outlined several national milestones under the slogan "We will do it". These included making India one of the world's three largest economies, strengthening Atmanirbhar Bharat, establishing the country as a global manufacturing hub, hosting the Olympics and expanding human space exploration. He said the confidence of India's 140 crore citizens would be crucial to achieving these goals.
Olympic hosting ambitions
India is pursuing a bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, with Ahmedabad emerging as a prospective host city. The Indian Olympic Association has been working with the International Olympic Committee as the country seeks to strengthen its sporting infrastructure and demonstrate its ability to organise major international competitions.
India faces competition from several countries interested in hosting the Games, including Qatar, Germany, Turkey and South Korea. The selection process remains underway, and India has not yet been awarded hosting rights. The government has presented the proposed Olympic bid as part of its broader ambition to improve sporting infrastructure, expand participation and establish India as a destination for major international events.
Space exploration goals
Modi also reiterated India's ambition to expand its human spaceflight capabilities, including the long-term objective of sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon.
The country's space programme has established several milestones in recent years, particularly through its lunar exploration missions, while preparations for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme form an important part of its next phase. The government has previously outlined plans to establish an Indian space station by 2035 and undertake a crewed lunar mission by 2040.
Modi has repeatedly linked these ambitions with the development of indigenous technologies, scientific research and India's emergence as a major space power.
Development projects in Chennai
The Prime Minister's remarks came during his visit to Chennai, where he was scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for development projects worth more than ₹13,000 crore.
The projects cover Metro rail connectivity, national highways, railway infrastructure, ports, petroleum facilities and education. Among the major initiatives was the Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch of Chennai Metro Rail's Phase II, developed at an estimated cost of ₹4,900 crore.
Modi was also scheduled to dedicate the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT Madras and participate in the golden jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School. The visit brought together the government's infrastructure development programme and the Prime Minister's broader message of economic growth, technological advancement and national self-reliance.