CM Highlights India’s Progress and Maharashtra’s Economic Strength at Independence Day Reception
Mumbai, Aug 2026 : India is steadily moving towards global leadership while Maharashtra is progressing towards becoming a trillion-dollar economy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said at an Independence Day reception held in Mumbai.
The reception, organised at the Taj Hotel on the eve of India’s 80th Independence Day, brought together diplomats, consuls general, representatives of various countries and other distinguished guests. Chief Minister Fadnavis welcomed the diplomatic community and outlined India’s progress, Maharashtra’s economic strength and the state’s vision for future development.
Chief Minister Fadnavis’s wife Amruta Fadnavis, consuls general of various countries, Dean of the Consular Corps and Consul General of Poland Thomas, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Adv. Rahul Narwekar, Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Sachin Ahir, Protocol Minister Jaykumar Rawal, Ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Aditi Tatkare, Minister of State Yogesh Kadam, Mayor Ritu Tawde, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries and senior police officials were among those present.
India Emerging as a Confident Global Power
Fadnavis said India is one of the world's oldest and most diverse civilisations, with inclusiveness, tolerance and acceptance of diverse viewpoints forming its distinctive characteristics.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is emerging as a stronger and more confident nation that is playing a decisive role in global affairs, he said.
The Chief Minister said India had emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy and expressed confidence that the country would soon achieve its target of becoming an economy worth more than USD 5 trillion.
Over the past decade, India has made significant progress in areas such as poverty reduction, infrastructure development, innovation, technology and human-resource development. Indian talent has been providing direction not only to the domestic economy but also to industries across the world, Fadnavis said.
“This new India is setting new benchmarks for development,” he said.
Maharashtra as an Economic Powerhouse
Describing Maharashtra as a powerhouse of the Indian economy, Fadnavis highlighted the state's leadership in industry, technology and innovation.
Maharashtra has emerged as a leading manufacturing hub, a technology centre, a startup capital and a major investment destination, he said.
Mumbai is not only India's financial, commercial and entertainment capital but is increasingly becoming a major global investment destination. The Mumbai and Navi Mumbai region is also emerging as the country's data-centre capital, Fadnavis said.
Referring to the Vadhvan Port being developed in Maharashtra, the Chief Minister said the project would provide a major boost to India's maritime strength. The port is expected to be three times larger than the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, currently the country's largest container port, and is expected to feature among the world's top 10 ports.
‘Third Mumbai’ Taking Shape
Fadnavis said the concept of “Third Mumbai”, being developed around the Navi Mumbai International Airport, is now taking concrete shape.
A world-class urban ecosystem is being developed through an Education City, Medi City, Innovation City, Sports City, GCC City and new commercial districts, he said.
The state is also pursuing the concept of developing a “Fourth Mumbai” between Vadhvan Port and Virar. Maharashtra also has an ambition to develop the country's first offshore airport and the third airport serving the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in Palghar district, he said.
New Growth Centres Emerging Across Maharashtra
The state is developing several industrial clusters, while Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Nashik and Ahilyanagar, along with Mumbai, Pune and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, are emerging as new centres of economic growth.
Large investments are being attracted in sectors including defence, aviation, clean energy, compressed biogas and advanced technologies, Fadnavis said.
The Chief Minister expressed his appreciation to the diplomatic community and consulates of various countries for their important role in promoting investment in Maharashtra.
Cooperation and partnerships with different countries are becoming stronger and contributing to the state's economic growth, he said.
Maharashtra Targets Trillion-Dollar Economy by 2029-30
Fadnavis expressed confidence that Maharashtra would become India's first trillion-dollar sub-national economy, achieving the target by 2029-30.
He also said India would continue to make an important contribution towards creating a more equitable, inclusive and cooperative global order.
The Maharashtra Government remains committed to strengthening cooperation, dialogue and relations with the diplomatic community, Fadnavis said.
He thanked all the dignitaries present and expressed confidence that India's democracy, the Tricolour and the values of freedom would continue to inspire the world. He also extended his Independence Day greetings to everyone.
Diplomatic Community an Important Partner in India-Maharashtra Development Journey: Jaykumar Rawal
Protocol Minister Jaykumar Rawal said India's freedom movement brought together people from different languages, religions, cultures and regions while establishing the values of democracy, equality and justice. The Constitution of India represents the finest expression of that journey, he said.
The diplomatic community is an important partner in the development journey of India and Maharashtra, Rawal said.
He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of “Viksit Bharat” is enabling India to move forward with greater confidence on the global stage. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra is further strengthening its position as a leading state in India's economic, industrial, financial and innovation sectors.
The growing diplomatic presence in Mumbai reflects the world's increasing confidence in Maharashtra, Rawal said. The state government is committed to strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education, technology, research, startups, agriculture and renewable energy.
He expressed hope that friendship and cooperation between India and countries around the world would become even stronger.
India's Progress Inspiring for the World: Thomas
Deputy Dean of the Consular Corps and Consul General of Poland Thomas said India's Independence Day commemorates the vision, courage and sacrifice associated with the country's freedom struggle while celebrating the values of unity, diversity, democracy and progress.
India's remarkable progress since independence and its growing participation in global affairs are an inspiration for the world, he said.
Thomas expressed his pleasure at the opportunity for the Consular Corps to contribute towards strengthening friendship and cooperation between India and other countries.
He thanked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Maharashtra Government for bringing the diplomatic community together on the occasion.
Extending Independence Day greetings to the people of India, he wished the country continued progress and greater success on the global stage.
Secretary of the Protocol Department Dr Rajesh Gavande welcomed the guests in his introductory remarks. He highlighted Maharashtra's economic strength and its significant contribution to India's development, while also reviewing the progress achieved by the state and the country.
A video showcasing Maharashtra's achievements and progress across various sectors was also screened during the event.
