PM Narendra Modi urges auto industry to innovate, pursue excellence and expand global footprint

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on India’s automobile industry to step up innovation, pursue excellence and chart a bold path towards the country’s Viksit Bharat vision by 2047.

In a message to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) read out at its Annual Convention 2026, Modi said recent free trade agreements had opened up greater access to international markets, placing India’s already globally recognised automobile sector in a strong position to expand its international footprint.

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"I urge the Indian automobile industry to continue innovating, pursuing excellence, and proactively charting a bold pathway towards Viksit Bharat," the prime minister said in the message, which was read out by SIAM President Shailesh Chandra.

He said the transformation would create significant growth opportunities for the mobility sector while further strengthening transport as a key pillar of national development.

"India has been one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world over the last decade. As our economy grows, the demand for mobility is also rising," Modi said.

The rapid expansion of highways and other infrastructure is facilitating the movement of people and goods while opening up new opportunities for the automobile industry, he said.

"Better connectivity and more efficient logistics are reducing costs and making Indian manufacturing more competitive. This is strengthening the automobile sector and contributing to India's economic growth," Modi said.

The prime minister also highlighted India’s push towards a cleaner and more sustainable mobility ecosystem, pointing to the rapid expansion of charging infrastructure as a key driver of electric vehicle adoption and innovation.

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"The rapid expansion of charging infrastructure is encouraging greater adoption of electric vehicles and creating new opportunities for innovation," he said.

As India moves towards the next generation of mobility, SIAM can play an important role in shaping the transformation and taking the country’s automotive capabilities to greater heights, Modi said.

He also credited government reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business with providing fresh momentum to the sector.

"In recent years, the government's reforms to boost ease of doing business, including the removal of redundant laws and removal of unnecessary compliances have provided fresh impetus to the industry. Initiatives such as the PLI (production-linked incentive) scheme and Make in India have further strengthened the manufacturing capabilities of the automobile industry," the prime minister said.