At 77, India stands at a defining inflection point—where purposeful policy, people power, and a renewed spirit of self-reliance come together. Under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the world’s largest democracy of 1.47 billion people has emerged as a growing economic powerhouse, anchored in strong institutions, a rich cultural heritage, and steady progress across technology, infrastructure, and social development. Guided by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, and her emphasis on inclusive governance and India’s rising global stature, what began as a constitutional promise has today evolved into a confident, aspirational nation—building from within, uplifting millions through inclusive growth, and shaping its own place in the global order.
India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy, with GDP exceeding USD 3.5 trillion, and is widely projected to become the third largest within this decade. The Make in India initiative, launched in 2014, has moved decisively from intent to impact. Manufacturing now accounts for nearly 17% of GDP, with clear momentum in electronics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, defense production, and renewable energy.
India’s digital public infrastructure has emerged as a global case study. Platforms such as Aadhaar, UPI, and the national health stack now support real-time payments, financial inclusion, and scalable service delivery for over a billion citizens. UPI alone processed a record-breaking 21.63 billion transactions in December 2025, demonstrating how technology-led governance can operate at population scale.
Youth remain central to this transformation. India adds more than 12 million people to its working-age population every year, creating one of the world’s largest talent pools. The country’s start-up ecosystem, now the third-largest globally, has crossed 100 unicorns, driven by founders building solutions not only for India, but for global markets.
At the core of the progress remains the healthcare sector which is expected to cross $600 billion by 2026, with major growth across hospitals, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals, attracting significant private investment. Backed by strong government support and landmark initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, India has made significant strides in expanding access, affordability, and quality of care. From strengthening primary healthcare and accelerating digital health adoption to enabling financial protection for millions of vulnerable families, these reforms are creating a more equitable and resilient healthcare ecosystem—one that reflects India’s commitment to inclusive growth and the well-being of its people.
At Aster we remain committed to further India’s inclusive growth story while supporting the well-being of its people. With our strong presence in the country, strengthened by the merger with QCIL group, we will continue to bring the best of global healthcare to serve the people locally. By combining clinical excellence with scale, we will continue to support the national agenda of improving health outcomes while easing the economic burden of disease on families—an essential enabler of productivity and long-term growth. Equally important is Aster’s contribution to human capital in healthcare. By nurturing medical talent, strengthening clinical governance, and investing in training and research, Aster is helping build a future-ready healthcare workforce.
As a UAE originated healthcare company which has emerged as one of the fastest growing healthcare companies in India, we have had the unique opportunity to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the region and facilitate cross-border dialogue.
For the Indian expatriate community in the UAE, these developments carry particular meaning. Over 4.3 million Indians live and work in the UAE, contributing across healthcare, construction, technology, finance, and entrepreneurship. The India-UAE relationship has matured into a comprehensive economic partnership, with bilateral trade exceeding USD 100 billion and expanding collaboration in healthcare, education, renewable energy, logistics, and digital innovation. Indian professionals in the UAE continue to serve as a vital bridge between the two economies.
As India marks its 77th Republic Day, the occasion stands as a reminder of the collective strength of its people and institutions contributing to the overall growth story, no matter where they are located in the world.