Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 10th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog. The theme of the meeting was 'Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047'. All state chief ministers, Union Territories' lieutenant governors, and several Union ministers attended the meeting on Saturday. This marked the Prime Minister's first significant interaction with chief ministers and LGs after the launch of Operation Sindoor.

PM Modi gave his opening remarks at the start of the meeting. Then, Chief Ministers, LGs, and Administrators spoke on various agenda items. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh moderated this session.

The meeting’s agenda focused on building ‘Viksit Rajya’, boosting entrepreneurship, employment, skilling, and enhancing MSME-related jobs, along with other key topics. The theme called on states to create bold, long-term, inclusive vision documents. These visions must align with national priorities while being rooted in local realities.

PM Modi told the council that India must “increase the speed of development.” He said, “If the Centre and all the States come together and work together like Team India, no goal is impossible.”

He added that the goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ belongs to every Indian. “Viksit Bharat is the goal of every Indian. When every state is Viksit, then Bharat will be Viksit. This is the aspiration of its 140 crore citizens,” PM Modi said.

He urged every state to develop at least one tourist destination to global standards.

“States should develop at least one tourist destination per State, at par with global standards and by providing all facilities and infrastructure. One State: One Global Destination. It would also lead to the development of the neighbouring cities as tourist places,” he said.

PM Modi also emphasised the importance of including women in the workforce. “We must make laws, policies so that they can be respectfully integrated in the workforce,” he said. He stressed that policies must bring visible change in people’s lives.

“We should work in a manner so that the policies implemented bring change in the lives of common citizens. Only when people feel the change, it strengthens the change and transforms the change into a movement. We have a great opportunity as a team to fulfil the aspirations of 140 Crore people,” the Prime Minister added.

On the sidelines of the meeting, PM Modi met several political leaders from across India. He held discussions with Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu proposed creating three sub-groups on GDP growth, population management and leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Speaking at the meeting held at Bharat Mandapam, he said these state-Centre sub-groups should work to accelerate the Viksit Bharat – 2047 vision.

“The first sub-group on GDP growth aims to boost investments, manufacturing, exports and job creation, supported by Central viability gap funding for PPP projects,” a TDP press release quoted Naidu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin asked the Centre to increase the state’s share in central taxes to 50 per cent. He also highlighted the need for a special urban transformation mission in the state.

The Congress party criticised the NITI Aayog meeting, calling it “yet another attempt at hypocrisy and diversion.” Congress communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh said, “Today, the Governing Council of NITI Aayog is meeting under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. It has been said that the progress of the so-called ‘Developed India’ goal will be reviewed in this.”

He questioned, “What kind of developed India will it be when the people in power are busy destroying the fabric of social harmony through their own words and actions?” He continued, “What kind of developed India will it be when the autonomy of the Parliament, Judiciary, Universities, Media and Constitutional institutions is being crushed as per the convenience of those in power?”

The BJP responded strongly to Jairam Ramesh’s comments. BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said, “This is a meeting of Team India to take decisions for the country’s development. Jairam Ramesh is finding fault in this too.” He added, “With his tendency to create controversy over some or other issues, Jairam Ramesh will finish off his party.”