Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw commended India’s effective management amidst global challenges, attributing it to well-planned policies and decisive actions led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the CII Annual Business Summit 2026, he emphasized the pivotal role of railways, electronics & semiconductors, and artificial intelligence in India’s transformation. Vaishnaw noted a substantial increase in railway capital expenditure, reaching nearly Rs 2,72,000 crore last fiscal year, signifying a significant shift in project execution efficiency.
Highlighting the remarkable progress in the Railways sector, Vaishnaw mentioned the electrification of around 49,000 kilometers of railway tracks, equivalent to Germany’s entire railway network. He also highlighted the significant rise in the production of wagons and locomotives. The minister urged both citizens and industries to contribute to India’s journey towards resilience and self-reliance through transformative infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology initiatives.
Vaishnaw underscored the importance of quality, cost competitiveness, and process efficiency in India’s development journey towards a Viksit Bharat. He pointed out the emergence of quality-centric and lean manufacturing practices in the new wave of electronics manufacturing units across the country, laying the groundwork for a technologically advanced and self-sufficient India. Regarding Artificial Intelligence, Vaishnaw emphasized the need for a strategic approach to leverage AI for enhancing productivity, quality, and efficiency across various sectors.
The minister stressed the significance of Prime Minister Modi’s call to the nation amidst global uncertainties and conflicts. He highlighted India’s energy import dependence and the critical role of foreign currency reserves in ensuring economic resilience. Vaishnaw urged citizens to reduce expenses leading to foreign exchange outflow while enhancing efforts to earn foreign exchange and bolster reserves.
