PM asks states to focus on investment, skills and ease of doing business to achieve Viksit Bharat | Today’s news
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged state governments to take the lead in attracting investment, facilitating entrepreneurship and building a skilled workforce as the Governing Council of Niti Aayog charted a coordinated path to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Held under the theme ‘Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat@2047’, the meeting was the first to be attended by ministers from all 28 states. Modi urged states to drive growth from state capitals down to urban local bodies and to attract investment from countries with which India has signed free trade agreements – a push that comes as foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows remained below $100 billion in FY26.
AI and data centers were highlighted as key growth sectors, with the Prime Minister urging states to see AI as an opportunity, not a disruption, and to work with industry to build future-ready skills pools. He also called for district-level gross domestic product (GDP) estimates, targeted intervention in 100 districts in line with the Aspirational Districts program and a stronger push for the One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative.
The council also discussed threats including cyber fraud, drug abuse and El Niño’s potential disruption to agricultural production – with Modi urging states to promote water conservation and natural farming. Energy security in the midst of a war in West Asia has been identified as an issue requiring coordinated action by the central state, although Niti Aayog member Rajiv Gauba said no chief minister has sought help with the geopolitical situation.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri said the discussions focused on inclusive human development and the role of states in accelerating growth through better governance, investment promotion and district-level planning.
Focus on skills, AI and human development
In addition to supporting investment and decentralized development, the Governing Council emphasized the need to create a future-ready workforce. States have been urged to strengthen education, skill and human capital development programs to ensure that India’s demographic dividend translates into a development dividend. Pointing out that nearly 70 million Indians are below the age of 25, the Prime Minister urged states to equip young people with the skills needed for emerging industries and future economic opportunities.
Artificial intelligence and data centers were identified as key growth areas. The Prime Minister said artificial intelligence should be seen as an opportunity rather than a challenge, stressing the need to equip people with future-ready skills to engage in the evolving digital economy.
The meeting also discussed issues such as cyber fraud and drug abuse, with the Prime Minister calling for preventive measures, awareness campaigns and stronger governance mechanisms. On the agricultural front, he urged states to promote water conservation, natural farming and organic practices amid concerns about El Niño conditions.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the growing adoption of sustainable farming practices, noting that farmers have purchased around 11 million tonnes of organic manure during the current kharif season, reflecting growing confidence in natural farming methods.
