PM Modi’s Strategic Visit to Bihar and Kolkata: Driving Development and Strengthening Defence

On September 15, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a landmark visit to Bihar and Kolkata, emphasizing a dual agenda of regional development and national security enhancement. The day-long itinerary highlighted India’s focus on improving infrastructure in the eastern region while simultaneously fortifying the country’s defence preparedness, signaling a strong commitment to economic growth and strategic modernization.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Bihar and West Bengal today, inaugurating projects worth Rs 36,000 crore in Bihar, and addressing the Combined Commanders’ Conference in Kolkata | Moneycontrol

Boosting Infrastructure and Connectivity in Bihar

Prime Minister Modi’s first stop was Purnea, Bihar, where he inaugurated the new interim terminal building at the New Civil Enclave of Purnea Airport. This project is designed to expand air connectivity in the Seemanchal region, which includes districts like Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, and Katihar. By improving passenger handling capacity, the terminal is expected to enhance mobility, stimulate local commerce, and attract investment in a historically underdeveloped area.

In addition to the airport inauguration, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for multiple large-scale development projects totaling around ₹36,000 crore. Among the most notable is the ₹25,000 crore thermal power project at Pirpainti in Bhagalpur, set to become the largest private-sector energy investment in Bihar. Employing ultra-supercritical low-emission technology, the project will significantly strengthen Bihar’s energy security and support industrial growth in the region.

Other projects unveiled during the visit include investments in irrigation, agricultural development, and the establishment of the National Makhana Board, which aims to modernize farming practices and increase income for local farmers. These initiatives reflect the government’s focus on sustainable development, economic upliftment, and regional integration.

Strengthening India’s Defence Posture in Kolkata

Following his engagements in Bihar, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to Kolkata to inaugurate the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference at the Eastern Command Headquarters, Vijay Durg (formerly Fort William). Scheduled from September 15 to 17, 2025, the three-day conference convenes India’s top military leadership and senior civilian officials to deliberate on defence strategies, operational preparedness, and modernization plans.

This year’s theme, “Year of Reforms – Transforming for the Future”, emphasized reforms within the armed forces aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, fostering self-reliance (Atmanirbharta), and encouraging innovation in defence technologies. During the conference, Prime Minister Modi directed the Defence Ministry to implement measures for improving jointness among the three services, strengthening strategic capabilities, and preparing for emerging security challenges.

The conference also offered a platform to discuss India’s regional security dynamics, particularly in the eastern and northeastern sectors, with strategic considerations involving China, Bangladesh, and Nepal. By addressing both operational readiness and structural reforms, the government aims to maintain a robust and agile defence framework in response to evolving geopolitical threats.

Strategic Significance of the Visit

Prime Minister Modi’s visit underlines the government’s balanced approach to national priorities, integrating development and security agendas. On one hand, the infrastructure projects in Bihar symbolize the commitment to equitable growth, improved connectivity, and energy security in a vital eastern region. On the other hand, the Combined Commanders’ Conference in Kolkata showcases a proactive stance toward modernizing the armed forces and preparing for future security challenges.

This dual focus is reflective of India’s broader vision: to strengthen regional development while simultaneously bolstering national defence, ensuring that economic progress and strategic preparedness advance hand in hand. By investing in both infrastructure and military reforms, the government is fostering stability, resilience, and sustainable growth for the country.

The MGMM Outlook

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bihar and Kolkata on September 15, 2025, highlights the government’s commitment to combining regional development with strategic national interests. In Bihar, the inauguration of the new interim terminal at Purnea Airport and the foundation-laying of ₹36,000 crore worth of development projects, including the ₹25,000 crore Pirpainti thermal power plant, demonstrate a focus on improving infrastructure, connectivity, and energy security. Initiatives such as the National Makhana Board and investments in irrigation and agriculture further reflect a strategy to modernize farming, enhance local incomes, and promote sustainable growth in historically underdeveloped areas. These efforts collectively signal a broader push toward economic modernization in eastern India, aimed at attracting investment and fostering equitable regional development.

In Kolkata, Prime Minister Modi presided over the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference at the Eastern Command Headquarters, emphasizing reforms to enhance operational efficiency, self-reliance, and innovation within India’s armed forces. Discussions focused on jointness among the three services, modernization of defence technologies, and preparation for emerging security challenges, particularly in the eastern and northeastern sectors. By integrating development initiatives with defence modernization, the visit underscores a strategic vision where India advances simultaneously on economic, regional, and security fronts, strengthening resilience and long-term national progress.

(Sources: Moneycontrol, India Today, NDTV)