Gandhinagar, January 11 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the second edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) for Kutch and Saurashtra at Marwadi University in Rajkot on Sunday.

The Prime Minister inaugurated this two-day conference, which centers on the Kutch and Saurashtra regions. He laid the foundation stone for 13 greenfield smart estates under the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation Limited across seven districts: Amreli, Kutch, Bhavnagar, Morbi, Rajkot, Jamnagar, and Surendranagar, covering an area exceeding 3,540 acres.

During the event, renowned Gujarati folk singer Geeta Ben Rabari performed.

The conference has attracted nearly 4,000 industrialists from across Gujarat and beyond.

In his address, PM Modi remarked, "This is my first visit to Gujarat in 2026, which is significant as it began with prayers at the Somnath Temple. Now, I am partaking in this remarkable event in Rajkot, reinforcing the mantra 'Vikas bhi or Virasat bhi' (Development and Heritage) that resonates throughout the region."

He highlighted that over the past two decades, the Vibrant Gujarat initiative has set a global standard, with ten editions held to date, each enhancing the summit's identity and impact.

"To me, the Vibrant Gujarat Summit represents more than just an event; it embodies the journey of a modern India in the 21st century, which started as a vision and has evolved into an unwavering reality," he stated.

PM Modi emphasized his long-standing association with the summit's vision, noting that its initial aim was to showcase Gujarat's potential to attract investments, benefiting both Indian and global stakeholders. However, he pointed out that it has now evolved into a robust platform for global growth, cooperation, and partnerships.

He mentioned the increase in global partners over the years, asserting that the summit exemplifies inclusion, bringing together corporate groups, cooperatives, MSMEs, startups, multilateral organizations, and international financial institutions to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaborative development.

With a quarter of the 21st century already passed, PM Modi noted, "India has made swift advancements in the last decade, with Gujarat playing a pivotal role in this trajectory."

"India is on track to become the world's third-largest economy. The evidence shows that global expectations of India continue to rise. We are the fastest-growing large economy, with controlled inflation," he stated.

He remarked on India's record agricultural production, being the top producer of milk and generic medicines, and leading in vaccine production.

According to the Prime Minister, India's growth narrative reflects the success of the mantra: Facilitate, Reform, Perform, and Transform.

"In the last 11 years, India has emerged as the largest consumer of mobile data globally. Our UPI has become the leading real-time digital transaction platform, and while previously, nine out of ten mobile phones were imported, India is now the second-largest mobile manufacturer in the world," he noted.

He commended India's advancements in startups, solar energy, aviation, and metro connectivity.

"Experts globally are optimistic about India. The IMF regards India as the engine of global growth. Over the past eighteen years, rating agencies have consistently upgraded India's ratings, with Fitch Ratings commending India's macroeconomic stability and fiscal integrity," PM Modi stated.

"This global trust is a result of India's unprecedented period of certainty during a time of significant global uncertainty," he added. "Today, India enjoys political stability and policy continuity, and the expanding reach and purchasing power of the neo-middle class have transformed India into a land of immense potential."

"I had proclaimed from the Red Fort that this is the opportune moment. Every investor, both domestic and international, should grasp these opportunities. The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Summit sends a clear message: now is the time to invest," the Prime Minister concluded.

PM Modi affirmed that Kutch and Saurashtra are not only regions of opportunity but also serve as the backbone of India's growth.

Over 1,500 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are anticipated to be signed during this conference.

Additionally, around 800 university students are volunteering for registration, guidance, and guest reception, alongside 22 international students from 52 countries, who are also attending the event.