‘Made-in-India planes will soon be discussed globally,’ says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India’s aviation industry has the potential to develop aircraft that earn global recognition, drawing a parallel with the worldwide praise for Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar.

Addressing the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha in New Delhi, Modi recalled Captain Machchhar, the Indian pilot of a flydubai flight who has been praised for his bravery during an in-flight emergency, and said India’s achievements in aviation should eventually extend to aircraft manufacturing.

“Today, India’s pilot is being discussed across the world. One day will also come when, just as India’s pilots are being discussed today, the world will talk about Made in India planes,” Modi said.

Captain Machchhar has been widely praised following the September 30 incident involving the flydubai flight, during which he was reported to have helped thwart an alleged hijacking attempt and protect more than 170 people on board.

Modi said achieving such ambitions would require long-term policymaking, sustained effort and a willingness to capitalise on India’s demographic strength.

“These goals will be achieved only when we formulate visionary policies in the present and also put in the utmost effort. Our country has several problems, but we also have 140 crore solutions. Now is not the time to rest. This is the time to move forward with enthusiasm and dedicate ourselves to the country,” he said.

Highlighting the role of young Indians, the Prime Minister described the country’s large youth population as a historic opportunity.

“The youthfulness of India today is a great opportunity given to us by history. Today, the number of youth in India is a great opportunity. We should not miss this opportunity,” he said.

Modi outlined a broad vision for a developed and technologically advanced India, saying the country should seek global leadership across sectors ranging from startups and sports to artificial intelligence, genetics and quantum computing.

He said India should also strengthen its capabilities in disaster management, climate change and water governance, while aspiring to send an Indian to the Moon and place its universities among the world’s leading institutions.

The Prime Minister stressed that the “Made in India” ambition should extend beyond domestic consumption, with Indian products gaining recognition and demand in international markets.

“The world should take pride in Made-in-India products and want to buy goods from India. Our farmers' products should be on dining tables around the world,” he said.

He also said India’s solutions in areas such as climate change, water management and poverty reduction should be adopted by other countries.

Calling India a nation of “140 crore dreams”, Modi said the country’s collective energy, talent and aspirations needed to be channelled towards a common national goal.

“India is a country of 140 crore dreams. India is a nation of limitless energy and countless aspirations. There is no shortage of potential; we simply need to connect every step and every effort and work towards one goal and one purpose,” he said.

Referring to the sacrifices made during the freedom struggle, Modi said building a developed India would require citizens to contribute through their work and dedication.

“We gained independence because the people of our country sacrificed their lives. Now, to build a Viksit Bharat, we have to live for the country,” he said.

He added that individual progress and national progress were closely linked, urging citizens to dedicate innovation, research, creativity and hard work to the country.

“Our resolutions will be for the country. Our hard work will be for the country. Our strength will be for the country. Our devotion will be for the country,” Modi said.