PM Modi says states' development needed to take country forward

Outlining his vision for the country's development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Thursday that it was very important to develop all the states, as every strong state will ultimately take the entire nation forward.

"If India has to develop, then it's very important for the states to develop. India cannot achieve great heights on only one pillar. Every strong state's pillars ultimately take the entire nation forward and that's why it is the responsibility of the central government to encourage all the states towards development," Prime Minister Modi said at the fourth Global Investors Summit here.

He also added that he wanted to work with the mantra of "Team India" to take the country forward.

"I want to work with the mantra of "Team India" to take the country forward. If the Prime Ministers and all Chief Ministers work together shoulder to shoulder, then new milestones of development can be achieved," said the Prime Minister.

Asserting that Centre and states are not rivals or enemies, the Prime Minister said those who understand the strength of the states understand the strength of India.

He also explained that his government's first priority was to generate employment, "Our first priority for development is how to generate widespread employment. This is a country of youngsters; if they get job opportunities then it will take us no time to overcome all hurdles."

Crediting Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for the development of Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi said, "If there is good leadership, clear vision, good intentions, a clear direction and a willingness to achieve something then 'bimaru' states can also become developed and Shivraj Singh, his team and Madhya Pradesh have shown the best example of that."

"The whole nation must know that the state which had less than two percent growth is now having nine percent growth since ten years. The world understands this language," he added.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan had inaugurated the three-day Global Investors Summit on Wednesday, inviting business leaders from across the world to invest in his state.

More than 4,000 delegates from across the world are attending the summit in Indore. The summit is also hosting 190 guests of honour and 28 state guests, including ambassadors and country representatives.