Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 6 June praised Surat for collectively reaffirming its commitment to making India strong and self-reliant, a day after inaugurating and launching infrastructure and development projects worth approximately ₹18,800 crore in the city. Posting on social media platform X, Modi described the visit as a reaffirmation of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, with Hazira singled out as a model industrial ecosystem.

Modi's Message from Surat

In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote: 'It was wonderful being among the people of Surat yesterday. From this vibrant city, we collectively reiterated our commitment to making India strong and self-reliant.' He also shared a two-minute video in which crowds were heard chanting his name.

In the video, Modi said: 'I believe that Surat is not only a city but also a spirit. Our resolution is to make Viksit Surat as well as Viksit Bharat.' The framing of a city-level aspiration as inseparable from national ambition was a recurring theme throughout his address.

Hazira as the Face of Aatmanirbhar Bharat

The Prime Minister highlighted Hazira, the industrial zone near Surat, as a living demonstration of energy and economic self-reliance — particularly relevant, he argued, given ongoing global disruptions. 'In the way there is a global crisis going on, it shows that in the matter of energy, Aatmanirbharta is important. The meaning of Aatmanirbhar Bharat becomes clear when you go into Hazira,' Modi said.

He described Hazira as more than an industrial region — calling it an integrated ecosystem where energy, steel, defence production, and global trade converge. 'Hazira is being developed as the biggest maritime hub. It is becoming a centre of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,' he added. The maritime hub development aligns with the Centre's broader push to expand India's coastal logistics capacity.

Countering Pessimism on Self-Reliance

Modi directly addressed critics of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign, saying: 'In this country, there are some pessimistic people who mock the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign. India is far from negativity. This country is a land full of hope.' He argued that collective determination — not government policy alone — was the true driver of national progress.

This comes amid persistent debate over the tangible outcomes of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, launched in 2020, with supporters pointing to growth in defence exports and semiconductor investment, while critics argue that import dependency in key sectors remains high.

Surat's Cleanliness Record and Civic Pride

During his Friday visit, Modi also praised Surat's residents for their cleanliness efforts, noting a striking historical contrast. 'A city that was once known for a massive plague is now known for cleanliness,' he said — a reference to the 1994 plague outbreak that had severely damaged the city's image. He noted that recent civic achievements had not bred complacency, with residents reportedly participating in multiple cleanliness drives ahead of World Environment Day.

In a follow-up post on X, Modi wrote: 'It is a delight to have been in Surat and to inaugurate key development works. I have always believed that Surat is more than a city…it is a spirit. This spirit is seen in the dynamism of the people here.'

Infrastructure Push: What Was Inaugurated

The projects launched during the Friday visit were valued at approximately ₹18,800 crore, though the specific breakdown of individual projects was not detailed in official statements reviewed. The scale of the outlay signals continued Centre-level investment in Gujarat's urban and industrial infrastructure ahead of upcoming development cycles. Further details on project timelines and implementing agencies are awaited.