India’s Rise to 4th Largest Economy in a Decade – Maharashtra a Key Growth Engine: CM Fadnavis

Mumbai, Aug 2025 : Over the last ten years, India has reached new heights of progress on the international stage. From being the 11th largest economy, India has now become the 4th largest, an achievement largely made possible by the visionary policies under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

He was speaking at a special Independence Day luncheon with consuls from various countries.

Also present were Mrs. Amruta Fadnavis, Assembly Speaker Adv. Rahul Narwekar, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Ministers Girish Mahajan, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Jaykumar Rawal, Pankaja Munde, Narhari Zirwal, Chhagan Bhujbal, Aditi Tatkare, Pratap Sarnai, Nitesh Rane, Ministers of State Adv. Ashish Jaiswal, Madhuri Misal, Yogesh Kadam, Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Mhaiskar, along with consuls and officials from various countries.

Setting the goal of sustainable development, the Prime Minister has envisioned India not just as a developed nation but as the driving engine of global growth, the CM said. The past decade has seen unprecedented investments in infrastructure—new road networks, international airports, the bullet train project, Wi-Fi cities, and the Smart Cities mission transforming urban landscapes. Over 250 million citizens have risen above the poverty line in this period—an historic feat. Employment generation, expansion of digital services, and reforms in agriculture, manufacturing, and services have brought positive changes to the lives of ordinary citizens.

Maharashtra’s contribution to national growth has been significant, the CM noted. The state is India’s economic growth engine, leading in foreign investment, with more than 40% of total FDI coming here. Mumbai has become the country’s startup capital, while Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur have developed ecosystems encouraging entrepreneurship. Key focus areas include information technology, industry, agro-processing, and green energy.

Protocol Minister Jaykumar Rawal said that India has further strengthened its global relations, with increased cooperation in defense, trade, and technology through bilateral agreements with various countries, making India’s role more prominent on the world stage.

Today marks a step forward towards the vision of a “Developed India,” of which “Developed Maharashtra” is an integral part, the CM concluded, emphasizing the importance of cooperation from all international representatives in achieving these goals.