Madhya Pradesh Global Investment Summit likely to enhance CM Mohan Yadav's stature

With the Madhya Pradesh government inking MoUs worth over Rs 30.7 lakh crore during the two-day Global Investment Summit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed hope that the state will emerge on the top. Shah patted Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for the successful conduct of the summit.

The state which was once part of the 'Bimaru' states has not only shed the tag in the past few decades but now boasts of a conducive investment climate. “Madhya Pradesh has a strategic location and better infrastructure, a big army of skilled workforce and good market access. Even the demand-oriented economy is expanding,” Shah said in his valedictory remarks at the conclusion of the summit.

READ | MP Global Investors Summit: Govt releases 18 new and updated policies to make state more investor-friendly 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence at the inauguration and Shah at the valedictory function is seen as an endorsement of Yadav’s chief ministership. Yadav had become chief minister in December 2023. Madhya Pradesh is important for the BJP as it had its government here for over two decades since 2003 barring a brief period when Congress under Kamal Nath formed government. The BJP is pushing that the state be put on a growth path along with other states of the Hindi heartland.  

This was the eighth global investment summit to be held in Madhya Pradesh, the difference being it was the first one to be held in Bhopal, the state’s capital. The previous seven editions were held in Indore which is the commercial capital of the state. By shifting the GIS to Bhopal, the state has also sent out a message bringing political heft and backing to it. 

Shah added that during the two days of the summit, the state has explored its industrial, sectoral and global potentials. "Prime Minister Modi had presented the vision of a developed nation in 2047 and third largest economy in 2027. Madhya Pradesh and this GIS will play a major role in fulfilling that target.” Shah added.

Shah’s presence at the summit was also to assure the gathered national and international investors that the state would present a safe environment.

The home minister said two hundred Indian companies, over two hundred global CEOs, and representatives from more than fifty countries participated in the summit. “This was a big achievement for Madhya Pradesh.”

“I assure investors that transparent administration, stable policies and pro-active administration will respond,” Shah said. 

During the summit, over a dozen companies including Adani Group, Reliance Industries and state-run NTPC committed to invest about Rs 4 lakh crore in the state. Chief Minister Yadav said his government has introduced a single window system for granting fast approvals. The state government also introduced 18 new policies to increase the ease of doing business in the state.

The primary objective of the summit was to promote the state as a top destination for investments across various sectors, including manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy, and technology.

However, the purpose of the investment summits is not only economic they also strengthen and showcase the chief minister’s hold over the administration and put him as the face of the state. The “success” of the summit will act as an endorsement for the new chief minister.