Unite to build a strong, resilient India: PM

Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged the steel industry to unite in building a resilient, revolutionary, and strong India. Speaking at the India Steel 2025 event, he called steel a sunrise sector vital for the nation’s development. Modi stressed the need to boost production using new technologies, explore import alternatives like coal gasification, and improve the use of raw material reserves.

He noted that India still relies heavily on imports for raw materials such as nickel, manganese, and coking coal. To address this, he called for stronger global partnerships, improved supply chains, and the early use of unused greenfield mines to boost self-reliance. The PM said India's steel production capacity should rise to 300 million tonnes by 2030, with per capita steel use expected to grow to 160 kg from 98 kg.

Highlighting projects like aircraft carrier Vikrant and Chandrayaan, which used Indian steel, he said India aims to become a global leader and exporter of high-grade steel. Infrastructure projects under the $1.3 trillion national pipeline and smart city plans are driving demand.

Modi added that schemes like PM Awas Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission are also opening up opportunities. He encouraged both public and private sectors to invest in research, new technologies, energy efficiency, and digital innovations like AI and recycling. The steel sector, he said, plays a key role in job creation and making India self-reliant and globally competitive.