Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated Maruti Suzuki’s new EV and battery plant in Hansalpur, Ahmedabad, flagged off the India-made e-VITARA and praised India’s strengths — its democracy, young demography and a large skilled workforce — as key drivers of the country’s manufacturing and export push. He said the rise of companies like Maruti Suzuki, which now manufactures in India and even exports cars back to Japan, reflects global confidence in the nation and the success of the Make in India push.
Modi described “Make in India, Make for the World” as a major leap toward the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, adding that the day marked a milestone in India-Japan friendship as India-made EVs and hybrid battery electrode manufacturing begin to go global. He also fondly recalled late Osamu Suzuki and said Maruti’s 13th year in Gujarat marks a new “teenage” phase for the automaker to spread its wings.
During the visit the PM toured the new plant and congratulated Suzuki and Japan for their partnership. Officials said the new facilities are expected to give a significant boost to India’s battery ecosystem as local production of hybrid battery electrodes gets under way at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant.
Modi also highlighted Ahmedabad’s growing global profile — from its UNESCO World Heritage status and historic gates to the Sabarmati Ashram and a stadium with one-lakh seating capacity — pointing out the city’s ability to host large concerts and major sporting events. He recalled the recent record-setting concert that drew over 2.5 lakh people and noted Ahmedabad is now shining on the world map.
On infrastructure, Modi virtually dedicated three Western Railway projects worth about ₹1,400 crore — Mahesana-Palanpur doubling, Kalol-Katosan gauge conversion and the Bechraji-Ranuj line — and flagged off a new passenger service and a car-loaded freight train, which Western Railway called “transformative” for Gujarat’s socio-economic development.
In a sharp attack on the Congress, the prime minister invoked Operation Sindoor and accused the party of past inaction on terrorism, saying today’s government does not spare terrorists or their patrons. He framed recent swift security actions as evidence of India’s resolve and the armed forces’ valour.
Modi also took aim at economic concerns facing farmers, assuring them that the government will protect their interests amid international trade tensions — comments that came as the U.S. announced higher tariffs affecting India.
