New Delhi, May 11: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said India has effectively navigated global turbulence through well-calibrated policies and decisive execution under the leadership of Narendra Modi.
Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2026, Vaishnaw identified railways, electronics and semiconductors, and artificial intelligence as the three core pillars driving the country’s transformation.
Highlighting progress in the rail sector, he noted that capital expenditure has surged from around ₹66,000 crore to nearly ₹2.72 lakh crore in the last financial year. He added that nearly 49,000 kilometres of railway tracks have been electrified — comparable to the entire network of Germany — alongside a significant rise in wagon and locomotive production.
Vaishnaw emphasised that India’s infrastructure and manufacturing push is fostering quality-focused and cost-efficient systems, positioning the country for long-term resilience. He pointed to rapid expansion in electronics manufacturing as a key enabler of a technologically advanced and self-reliant economy.
On artificial intelligence, the minister described it as a transformative force reshaping global industries and underscored the need for a strategic approach to maximise its benefits in productivity and efficiency.
Amid global geopolitical uncertainties, Vaishnaw also urged citizens to support economic resilience by reducing foreign exchange outflows and enhancing efforts to boost earnings, aligning with the broader vision of building a “Viksit Bharat.”
