India has taken a key step in its Olympic aspirations to host the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, following high-level meetings with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) this week in Lausanne. The Indian delegation, led by PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat’s Minister of Sports, presented the foundations of its bid, proposing Ahmedabad as the host city. This presentation is part of the “Continuous Dialogue” process, which allows countries to express interest without a formal commitment.

India’s proposal is based on its national development strategy, Viksit Bharat 2047, and promotes values such as youth inclusion, long-term social impact, and the motto “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (“the world is one family”). Former Olympic athlete Usha described the potential hosting of the Games in the country as a “transformative” event that would go beyond sports competition. Meanwhile, Sanghavi highlighted Gujarat’s history and dynamism as key pillars of the bid.

Ahmedabad takes center stage in the Olympic race

In meetings held in Switzerland, the delegation emphasized that hosting the Olympic Games in Ahmedabad would be a historic opportunity to boost regional and national development, in line with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. The bid already has concrete precedents: the city was previously proposed to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, reflecting an ongoing commitment to elite-level sport. Furthermore, the central government, state authorities, and the IOA have expressed strong support for this ambition.

Although Nita Ambani, IOC member and influential figure in the international Olympic arena, was not present at the meetings, her support has been essential in positioning India as a serious contender. Still, the recent restructuring of the host city selection process, led by Kirsty Coventry, may redefine the rules of the game. With the race becoming increasingly open and participatory, India will need to maintain its momentum against rivals such as Doha, Istanbul, Nusantara, Budapest, Riyadh, and other potential European bids. Nevertheless, the country’s size, youth, and symbolism as the world’s most populous nation remain powerful factors in its favor.