CWG 2026: PM Modi wishes Indian contingent, backs athletes to inspire millions
Synopsis
PM Modi's Glasgow 2026 message was more than a formality — it came as Mirabai Chanu carried the Tricolour at the opening ceremony and India's 126-member squad, its largest in recent memory, began a campaign anchored by an Olympic champion in Neeraj Chopra and a boxing contingent eyeing multiple medals across 13 disciplines.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi wished the Indian contingent at Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow via a post on social media platform X.
King Charles III officially declared the Games open at the OVO Hydro arena on Thursday.
Mirabai Chanu (Olympic silver medallist) served as India's flag-bearer ; Lovlina Borgohain carried the ceremonial baton.
India has fielded a 126-member contingent competing across 13 disciplines , including para sports.
Key medal hopes: Neeraj Chopra (athletics), Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting), Lovlina Borgohain (boxing).
The Glasgow Games feature 74 nations and territories competing over 11 days across 10 sports .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 July 2025 extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, expressing confidence that the country's athletes would compete with 'passion, determination and a spirit of excellence' as the multi-sport event officially got underway.
Modi's Message to the Nation's Athletes
Taking to social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'As the Commonwealth #Glasgow2026 Games begin, my best wishes to the Indian contingent. I am confident that our athletes will participate in the Games with passion, determination and a spirit of excellence. The skills and dedication of our athletes always inspire countless Indians.'
The post came as the Games were formally declared open by King Charles III during a colourful opening ceremony held at the OVO Hydro arena in Glasgow on Thursday — marking the city's return as Commonwealth Games host for the first time since 2014.
Chanu and Borgohain Lead the Parade
Olympic medallists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain headlined India's Parade of Nations. Mirabai, India's Olympic silver medallist in weightlifting, carried the Tricolour as the flag-bearer, while Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina bore the ceremonial Commonwealth baton — a dual honour that underscored the depth of India's sporting talent.
India's 126-Member Contingent and Medal Contenders
India has fielded a 126-member contingent competing across 13 disciplines, including para sports. The campaign was already underway before the opening ceremony, with the lawn bowls team becoming the first Indian athletes to take the field at Glasgow 2026.
India's medal charge will be anchored by some of its biggest names: Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in athletics; Mirabai Chanu in weightlifting; and Lovlina Borgohain in boxing. A strong boxing contingent is also expected to challenge for multiple podium finishes across weight categories.
Scale of the Glasgow 2026 Games
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 brings together athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories, competing over 11 days across 10 sports. Notably, Glasgow last hosted the Games in 2014, making this edition a return to familiar ground for the Scottish city. With the ceremony behind them, India's athletes now turn their full focus to competition.
What to Watch
India's performance at the Commonwealth Games has historically been strong, and the Glasgow edition arrives with heightened expectations following a series of podium finishes at the Paris Olympics. The opening days will see early action in lawn bowls and shooting, before marquee events in weightlifting and athletics take centre stage. How Chopra, Chanu, and Borgohain perform will define much of India's final medal tally.
Point of View
But the Glasgow 2026 campaign carries real weight. India arrives on the back of a strong Paris Olympics showing, and with Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu, and Lovlina Borgohain all in the squad, the medal expectations are not rhetorical. What the message glosses over is the structural question: Commonwealth Games success has long masked India's thin bench depth in most Olympic disciplines. A strong Glasgow tally will be celebrated — but the harder metric is whether these same athletes, and the ones behind them, are peaking at the right time for Los Angeles 2028.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi say about the Commonwealth Games 2026?
PM Modi posted on social media platform X wishing the Indian contingent at CWG 2026 in Glasgow, expressing confidence that athletes would compete with 'passion, determination and a spirit of excellence.' He added that the skills and dedication of India's athletes 'always inspire countless Indians.'
Who carried the Indian flag at the CWG 2026 opening ceremony?
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, India's Olympic silver medallist, carried the Tricolour as flag-bearer during the Parade of Nations. Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist and boxer Lovlina Borgohain carried the ceremonial Commonwealth baton.
How many athletes has India sent to Commonwealth Games 2026?
India has fielded a 126-member contingent at Glasgow 2026, competing across 13 disciplines including para sports. The lawn bowls team was the first Indian unit to take the field, doing so before the opening ceremony.
Who are India's top medal contenders at CWG 2026?
India's primary medal hopes rest on Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra in athletics, Mirabai Chanu in weightlifting, and Lovlina Borgohain in boxing. A strong boxing contingent is also expected to challenge for multiple podium finishes.
When and where is the Commonwealth Games 2026 being held?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 are being held in Glasgow, Scotland, running over 11 days across 10 sports. The opening ceremony took place at the OVO Hydro arena and was presided over by King Charles III. Glasgow last hosted the Games in 2014.
