Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the world was passing through a period of uncertainty and instability, yet India continued to move forward on its growth trajectory with confidence and determination.He further said India’s demographic dividend was a historic opportunity that one could not afford to lose, adding that empowered youth would be the driving force behind the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat.Chairing the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in the national capital, the PM said, “The world is passing through a period of uncertainty and instability, yet India continues to move forward on its growth trajectory with confidence and determination. As India progresses towards achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat, our collective responsibility becomes even greater.”Modi noted that creating the right ecosystem for the youth through quality education, demand-driven skilling and employment opportunities must remain a priority.In a first, CMs from all 28 states attended the crucial meeting, indicating a renewed willingness to engage with the Centre on development planning and policy alignment.Four newly sworn-in Chief Ministers — DK Shivakumar, Joseph Vijay, Suvendu Adhikari and VD Satheesan — also attended the meeting. The southern states had skipped the meeting last year.With the inclusion of new southern leaders, the dialogue could reset dynamics on contentious issues such as water-sharing disputes and regional economic needs. Their presence may also influence the Centre’s approach towards accommodating regional demands within national policy frameworks.On the Centre-states dynamics, Modi said, “Cooperation, dialogue and sharing should guide interactions among the states. NITI Aayog can play an important role as a platform for collaboration, enabling states to exchange ideas and work together towards the vision of Viksit Bharat.”“States should prioritise education, skilling, safety and empowerment of women to unlock their full potential and drive India’s development journey,” he said.He also underlined that women-led development was a cornerstone of the vision of Viksit Bharat. “From farming and startups to science and innovation, Nari Shakti is contributing across domains,” he noted.Modi further said: “India has signed Free Trade Agreements with many countries to create new opportunities for growth and exports. These agreements also present a significant opportunity for our MSMEs, enabling them to prepare for global markets by adhering to international standards and enhancing competitiveness.”In line with the PM’s vision of ‘Team India’ for a Viksit Bharat, this year’s theme, ‘Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat @2047’, focuses on the well-being and development of every Indian, regardless of age, region, gender or socio-economic background.The Governing Council Meeting deliberated on the approach to realise this vision and translate it into concrete, measurable outcomes for every citizen.The meeting also reviewed recommendations emerging from the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries held in December 2025. The conference focused on five thematic areas — early childhood education, schooling, skilling, higher education, and sports and extracurricular activities.