Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday laid out a sweeping vision for India’s future, emphasizing that the journey toward national transformation is a collective responsibility that requires participation from every citizen. Delivering the closing keynote at the 23rd Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Modi underlined the theme of the summit—“transforming tomorrow”—and highlighted how India is seizing opportunities to chart a path of self-reliance, prosperity, and social empowerment, even amid a world marked by uncertainty and turbulence.

Addressing the audience, Modi said, “Transforming tomorrow’s journey is filled with many such schemes, decisions, public aspiration, and public participation. This is a journey in perpetuity. This is not limited to discussions in a summit. This is a national resolve. For this, everyone’s involvement, everyone’s efforts is required. Collective effort will give us opportunities to reach the heights of transformation.” His remarks were met with enthusiastic applause, reflecting the resonance of his message with leaders from diverse sectors.

The prime minister began by reflecting on the historical significance of the Hindustan Times, noting its 101-year-long history and centenary celebrations earlier this year. He said that when an institution founded during India’s freedom struggle and blessed by stalwarts such as Mahatma Gandhi, Madan Mohan Malaviya, and industrialist GD Birla engages in discussions on transformation, it gives the nation faith in its future. Modi recalled that HT was initially run out of a two-storey building on Burn Bastion Road in central Delhi, inaugurated in 1924 by Gandhi himself, with early financial support pooled from freedom fighters and later GD Birla. He remarked that the newspaper’s legacy symbolizes India’s longstanding commitment to progress and public discourse.

Turning to India’s current position in the global arena, Modi highlighted the nation’s resilience in navigating a world beset by economic crises, technological disruptions, global pandemics, and geopolitical tensions. “Today’s world is filled with uncertainties. But in this uncertain time, India is in a different league. India is filled with self-confidence. When the world is talking of a slowdown, India is talking of growth. When the world is seeing a trust crisis, India is a pillar of trust. When the world is facing fragmentation, India is a bridge builder,” he said.

Modi argued that India’s achievements over the past decade were not merely numerical indicators of economic growth but represented a fundamental transformation in mindset, governance, and problem-solving. He pointed to structural reforms, social empowerment programs, and a consistent focus on creating opportunities for previously underutilized sectors of the population. “India’s achievements are not ordinary. They are not just figures. They are fundamental changes in the past decade that India has ushered in; these fundamental changes are that of building resilience, of problem solving, of dispelling the clouds of doubts and expanding the wings of aspiration,” Modi said.

A significant focus of his address was the untapped potential across India, particularly in the eastern states, the Northeast, villages, and smaller cities. Modi said that historically, much of the country’s human and economic potential remained unutilized, and unlocking it was crucial for the nation’s transformation. He pointed to the increasing opportunities for women, the innovative energy of the youth, the rise of start-ups, and the liberalization of sectors such as space and the blue economy as examples of areas where India is now capitalizing on its latent strengths.

Highlighting rural development and infrastructure expansion, Modi said, “Villages and small cities are seeing modern amenities, small towns are becoming hubs of start-ups and micro, small, and medium enterprises, and farmers are reaching the national and global markets. The miracle of women power has seen them dominating every field. This transformation is not limited to women’s emancipation but is transforming social mindsets and abilities. When new opportunities are made and hurdles are removed, then new wings are created to fly.”

Modi also discussed the liberalization of the Indian space sector, citing private companies’ increasing participation in launching rockets and conducting space missions. “The government gave the platform, and the youth of India are building a new future. This is the real transformation,” he said. He argued that reforms today are proactive and targeted toward national goals, unlike in the past when they were reactive measures taken to manage crises or political expediency.

The prime minister underlined the importance of continuity and consistency in reforms, highlighting key measures taken in 2025. These include next-generation Goods and Services Tax reforms aimed at lowering tax rates, correcting inverted duty structures, and simplifying procedures to boost investment and demand for goods and services. Additionally, he cited reforms in the direct tax system, such as raising the exemption limit to ₹12 lakh for individuals, which was considered impossible a decade ago.

Modi also referenced changes to the definition of small companies, removal of mandatory quality control for over 200 product categories, and facilitation of easier access to government services for thousands of businesses. “Today, India’s journey is not just of development, but a transformation of mindsets. It is about psychological renaissance,” he said.

Throughout his speech, Modi emphasized that transformation is not limited to economic indicators or infrastructure projects; it is a holistic process involving societal mindset, governance culture, and citizen empowerment. He argued that when citizens are engaged, opportunities are expanded, and systemic hurdles removed, true national transformation becomes achievable.

Modi concluded by reiterating the message that transforming tomorrow is a collective mission. He urged all sectors of society—government institutions, industry leaders, civil society, and the general public—to participate actively in the nation’s development. “When this untapped potential is given more and more opportunity, when it can, with full ability and without any hurdles, become a part of the country’s progress story, then a national transformation is certain,” he said.

In essence, Prime Minister Modi’s keynote at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit underscored a vision of India that is confident, resilient, and forward-looking. It emphasized collective participation, proactive reforms, and the unleashing of human and economic potential as the cornerstones of national transformation. His address sought to inspire citizens to embrace a mindset of self-reliance, innovation, and social responsibility, positioning India as a nation prepared to face global uncertainties while charting its own path toward progress.