PM Modi pushes India’s auto industry to go global, leverage FTAs and manufacturing reforms for next growth phase

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged India’s automobile industry to use the country’s expanding infrastructure, manufacturing ecosystem and growing access to overseas markets to accelerate its global expansion, as the sector enters a new phase of technology-led and cleaner mobility.

Addressing the annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), PM Modi said the rapid growth of the Indian economy was driving demand for mobility, while the expansion of highways and other infrastructure was creating fresh opportunities for automakers and improving the competitiveness of Indian manufacturing.

FTAs open new road to global expansion

PM Modi said better connectivity and more efficient logistics were helping reduce costs and strengthening India’s manufacturing competitiveness. These developments, he said, were not only supporting the automobile industry but also contributing to broader economic growth.

He highlighted recent Free Trade Agreements as a key opportunity for the sector, saying greater access to international markets would help Indian automobile companies expand their global presence.

The Prime Minister said the industry, which was already recognised in several international markets, was “well placed” to further strengthen its global footprint.

PLI, Make in India bolster manufacturing

PM Modi also pointed to government reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, including the removal of redundant laws and unnecessary compliances, saying these measures had provided fresh impetus to industry.

The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and Make in India initiative, he said, had further strengthened the manufacturing capabilities of the automobile industry.

The government’s infrastructure push is simultaneously reshaping the operating environment for the sector, with improved road connectivity and logistics facilitating the movement of both people and goods.

EV transition adds another growth frontier

PM Modi said India was also making significant progress towards a cleaner and more sustainable mobility ecosystem, with the expansion of charging infrastructure encouraging greater adoption of electric vehicles and creating new avenues for innovation.

He said the mobility sector was undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by energy efficiency, energy diversification, technology and advanced manufacturing.

Against this backdrop, PM Modi urged the automobile industry to continue innovating, pursue excellence and proactively chart a pathway towards ‘Viksit Bharat’. He said the transformation would create significant opportunities for the mobility sector while reinforcing transport as a key pillar of national development.

He also called for stronger partnerships and new ideas to accelerate India’s journey towards a faster, greener and self-reliant mobility ecosystem, while emphasising SIAM’s role in maintaining dialogue between industry, policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders.