Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addresses a rally during the 2025 World Hindu Economic Forum meeting in Mumbai
mumbai
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said Africa will play an important role in the future global economy and countries that actively collaborate with the continent will emerge as world leaders.
He also said that the world is moving towards the fifth industrial revolution driven by innovation, data and artificial intelligence (AI) and that Indians are the biggest contributors in the field of AI today.
Speaking at the 2025 World Hindu Economic Forum Annual Conference here, Fadnavis said Hinduism is not just a way of worship, but a complete way of life, a system of thought and an organized civilizational framework that has enabled Indian culture to survive continuously for thousands of years.
He said, “Africa will play an important role in the future global economy and countries that actively collaborate with Africa will emerge as world leaders. India’s ties with African countries are strong and many African countries see Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a trusted leader.”
“India’s strong ties with African countries and the trust built under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership will enable India to play a key role in this process,” he said.
He urged Indian entrepreneurs to focus on Africa, saying the continent is rich in natural resources and raw materials essential for new technologies.
“If manufacturing in Africa expands with India’s participation, India could play a leading role and bring about major changes to the global economy,” he said.
He also noted that Papua New Guinea had invited India to participate in gas exploration, saying this was a result of India’s civilized approach to influencing the world through ideas rather than force.
On this occasion, he announced that a large-scale facility will soon be set up in Mumbai to accommodate representatives from 54 African countries.
Fadnavis said innovation has always been an integral part of the Indian mindset, pointing out that astronomy, mathematics and science in the Vedic and pre-Vedic eras are comparable to modern technological advances.
“Innovation is not new to India. It is part of India’s civilizational DNA,” he said.
He pointed out that the world is moving towards the fifth industrial revolution, driven by innovation, data and artificial intelligence (AI).
“Today, Indians are the biggest contributors in the field of artificial intelligence on platforms like GitHub,” Fadnavis said.
He said AI and data are bringing about transformational changes in agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors and India has the capacity to make the most of these opportunities.
India is already at the forefront of AI and data.
Quoting Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, he said Indians are expected to become the world’s largest group of developers by 2030.
“AI is driving fundamental changes across industries and India has the talent to lead this transformation,” he added.
According to him, India’s cultural pride is not based on mythology but on historical and scientific evidence.
“Our responsibility today is to confidently strengthen this pride and take it to new heights in our time,” he said.
Referring to Chanakya’s principle that “the basis of dharma is economic power”, the CM said that prosperous countries will form the world order.
“Therefore, it is imperative that India establish itself as a strong economic power,” he said.
“Hinduism is not just a method of worship, but a complete way of life, a system of thought, and an organized framework of civilization that has enabled Indian culture to survive continuously for thousands of years,” he said.
Although many ancient civilizations have disappeared, the Indus Hindu civilization continues. Evidence-based research suggests that this cultural continuity dates back approximately 10,000 years.
CM Fadnavis emphasized the importance of technology transfer and said that India is steadily becoming independent in the technology field as well.
He said India’s worldview, rooted in Hindu ethics, inspires global trust.
“India never conquered the world by invasion, but by the strength of its ideas,” he said.
Fadnavis said platforms like the World Hindu Economic Forum can play an important role in bringing together various stakeholders and increasing India’s share in global trade to 20 per cent.
“This journey will not stop until India emerges as a ‘Vishwaguru’ (world leader) once again,” he added.
“India is focusing on domestic manufacturing and technology development by Indian companies. Some countries relied on reverse engineering, but India has the ability to understand technology and become self-reliant,” he said.
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During the event, Shree Cement’s Bhangar Group submitted a letter of intent to invest Rs 2,000 crore in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra.
Fadnavis said the investment reflects the industry’s confidence in the state’s development.
