Working as One Team to Take Maharashtra to New Heights
London, September 2026 : Maharashtra is working towards building a new state while keeping environmental concerns in mind. “Come to Maharashtra with green capital and technology and invest in the state. Let us build a new partnership for environment-friendly development by combining Maharashtra’s large market, skilled manpower and strong infrastructure,” Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde appealed to British entrepreneurs.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was presented the ‘Statesmanship Award’ today at the Maharashtra–India–UK Dialogue, an international conference organised by the World Leadership Forum at the House of Commons in London. The award was presented in recognition of his leadership for the development of Maharashtra, contribution to public service and work towards the progress of the state. Shinde was speaking on the occasion.
He also said that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and he are working as one team to take Maharashtra to new heights. Stating that the objective is to further increase Maharashtra’s share in FDI, he extended an open invitation to British industrialists and investors to invest in Maharashtra. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was honoured with the award by Baroness Geeta Nargund, Lord Ramiranger and Lord Ravel. Members of the British Parliament, political and social leaders, representatives of various industrial and business organisations, entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, and distinguished members of the Indian and British communities participated in the conference.
Representatives of various political parties in Britain also attended the conference. Leaders associated with various parties, including the Labour Party, Conservative Party and Reform UK, participated in the dialogue. The conference therefore reflected an approach to strengthening relations between Maharashtra and Britain in a broader and more inclusive manner. Beginning his speech in Marathi, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that relations between Maharashtra and Britain are not limited merely to governments and trade. Citizens of Indian origin, students, industry and people-to-people ties have created a strong bridge between the two countries, he said.
India’s Economic Strength Has Grown Because of Prime Minister Modi
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has strengthened its position in the global economy. Modi transformed major economic challenges facing the country into opportunities. Because of his visionary and dynamic leadership, India is today emerging as an important global power, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said.
About a decade ago, India was included in the world’s ‘Fragile Five’, or the group of weak economies. Today, India is among the world’s five largest economies. Infrastructure development, digital public services, tax reforms and direct assistance to needy citizens have given a new direction to India’s economy, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde said.
Through initiatives such as ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’, ‘Startup India’ and ‘Digital India’, a clear direction has been given to India’s development. Following Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi entrusted MP Dr Shrikant Shinde with leading the Indian delegation to countries in the Middle East. The Deputy Chief Minister also informed the gathering that he is currently pursuing a Global MBA at the London School of Economics.
Maharashtra’s Economy Growing Rapidly
Describing Maharashtra as the country’s leading engine of development, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde presented figures relating to the state’s economy. He said Maharashtra has a major share in the country’s GDP and exports and that efforts are underway to make Maharashtra the technology capital of South Asia.
New Direction for UK-Maharashtra Trade
The Free Trade Agreement between India and Britain has created a major opportunity for trade and investment between the two countries. Shinde called upon the British business community to build a new partnership of “Design in London and Manufacture in Maharashtra.”
Major Infrastructure Projects in Maharashtra
Projects such as the HinduhridaySamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, Vadhavan Port, Atal Setu, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and Navi Mumbai International Airport are giving new momentum to Maharashtra’s development. These projects will help reduce transportation and freight costs. Work is underway to connect various parts of the state, including Mumbai, more rapidly with domestic and international markets, he said.
Projects such as the Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Highway, Konkan Expressway and Konkan Coastal Road will connect various development centres across the state. This will create new opportunities for tourism, industry and employment, he expressed confidence.
Dharavi and Thane Redevelopment
Clarifying that urban development is not merely about constructing roads and buildings but about improving people’s quality of life, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde cited the Dharavi redevelopment project, Thane cluster redevelopment and redevelopment of old chawls in Mumbai as examples.
Environmental Protection Along with Development
Shinde said Mumbai has launched South Asia’s first independent Net-Zero Climate Action Plan. He said the objective is to meet 50 per cent of the state’s electricity requirement from clean energy by 2030.
A large quantity of sewage in Mumbai is being treated every day and used for industrial purposes. A major portion of the proposed New Mahabaleshwar project in the Sahyadri mountain ranges will be reserved as protected green areas, with efforts being made to promote eco-friendly tourism and local employment, he said.
‘MoUs Are Not Merely Announcements’
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the decision-making process in Maharashtra is being expedited for investors and referred to the state’s war room. Around 50 major projects are being regularly monitored, he said. Nearly 75 per cent of the memorandums of understanding signed at Davos are being converted into actual projects, he said.
Major Opportunities for British Companies
There are major opportunities for British companies in Maharashtra in electric vehicles, battery technology, green hydrogen, renewable energy, fintech, education and healthcare. Projects such as an Edu-City, Medi-City, Aero-City, Sports City and Fintech Hub are being promoted around Navi Mumbai airport.
He also appealed to reputed British universities to establish educational centres in Maharashtra and promote joint courses and research. British companies should benefit from the entire value chain by undertaking research and design in Pune, financial operations in Mumbai, manufacturing in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and exports through Vadhavan Port, he said.
“Maharashtra has scale, speed and sustainability. Britain should bring its technology, design and green capital to Maharashtra,” he said. World Leadership Forum founder Nachiket Joshi also shared his views.
Show Maharashtra’s Collective Strength: Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s Call at London Investor Meeting
Apex Body to Be Set Up to Bring Marathi Entrepreneurs Across the World Together
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said during his interaction with investors in London yesterday that there is a need to bring together Maharashtra’s development potential, investment opportunities and the strength of Marathi entrepreneurs across the world. He conveyed to investors that he is working in coordination with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for Maharashtra’s development. While appealing to industrial groups from across the world to come forward and invest in Maharashtra, he also expressed his desire to bring together Marathi people across the world into a collective strength.
Firm Stand on the Border Issue
The Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute also came up for discussion. Stating that Maharashtra’s position is linked to the issue of Marathi-speaking people in the border areas, including Belagavi, and that the issue is not merely political but connected with Marathi identity, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde said the Maharashtra government is firm in support of the rights of Marathi-speaking people on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue. He also said that he would discuss the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Coordination in Government
Stating that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is a capable Chief Minister and that they are working in complete coordination with him for the development of the state, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the government’s focus is on infrastructure, industry, technology and employment generation to attract large-scale investment to Maharashtra in the coming period.
Direct Decisions
Deputy Chief Minister Shinde also said that his working style is based on ‘No Reason, Only Decision’, meaning taking decisions on the spot instead of giving unnecessary reasons, and that this has accelerated the administration.
Bringing Marathi Entrepreneurs Together
Marathi people are working in industry, business, technology and various other fields across every corner of the world. The collective strength of all these people should be used for Maharashtra’s development. Expressing the need to take the initiative to build a ‘collective strength’ of Marathi people across the world, he indicated that work would be undertaken towards establishing a broad-based apex body for this purpose.
He also made it clear that he would discuss the matter with Industries Minister Uday Samant and ask him to take the initiative.
