New Delhi, October 15, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated members of the Indian contingent following their impressive performance at the 2026 Asian Games, where India secured fourth place in the overall medal standings with a total of 85 medals.
During an interaction with athletes, coaches and support staff at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, the Prime Minister praised the contingent for bringing pride to the country through their dedication, perseverance and sporting achievements. The event recognised the collective efforts of athletes who represented India across a wide range of sporting disciplines at the continental competition held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
India concluded its Asian Games campaign with 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals, retaining fourth place in the medal table for the second consecutive edition.
The performance featured several landmark achievements across athletics, shooting, archery, hockey, wrestling, boxing and other disciplines. Indian athletes also achieved historic milestones, strengthening the country's presence across a diverse range of competitive sports.
The men's and women's hockey teams both won gold medals, while Indian archers delivered notable performances. The Games also saw significant achievements in shooting, wrestling and athletics, alongside a silver medal in weightlifting after a 28-year gap at the Asian Games.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of passion, perseverance and self-belief in achieving sporting success. He congratulated the medal winners and acknowledged the contributions of coaches, support staff and the families who supported the athletes throughout their preparations.
The Prime Minister also emphasised that sporting achievements extend beyond medals, noting the importance of bringing honour to the national flag and inspiring young people to participate in sports.
He expressed confidence that India's achievements at the Asian Games would encourage greater ambitions and help strengthen the country's sporting ecosystem at the grassroots level.
India's campaign included several memorable accomplishments. Both the men's and women's hockey teams secured gold medals in the same edition, while the archery contingent delivered historic results. Indian athletes also made their mark in shooting, boxing, wrestling and athletics.
These performances demonstrated the breadth of India's sporting talent and highlighted the importance of continued investment in training, coaching and opportunities for young athletes.
The felicitation ceremony served as recognition of the athletes' hard work and dedication while offering an opportunity to discuss India's ambitions in international sports.
With the country maintaining its position among the top four nations at the Asian Games, the focus now turns to building on these achievements, identifying areas for improvement and preparing the next generation of competitors.
The Prime Minister's interaction with the contingent underlined the government's stated commitment to encouraging sporting excellence and developing talent at the grassroots level.
