PM Modi to Meet India’s Asian Games Contingent After 85-Medal Haul

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with India’s athletes who competed at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Thursday, October 15, in New Delhi, following the country’s fourth-place finish at the continental sporting event.

The programme is scheduled for around 4:30 pm at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, where the Prime Minister will also address the gathering, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

India finished fourth with 85 medals - 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze, securing a place among the top five nations for the second consecutive Asian Games. However, the tally fell short of the country’s record-breaking 106 medals at the 2023 Hangzhou Games, leaving room for reflection on India’s progress and the challenges ahead.

The interaction will bring together athletes, coaches, support staff, officials of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), representatives of National Sports Federations and officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

India sent 501 athletes to the Games, including 310 debutants, highlighting the significant presence of first-time competitors in the national contingent. Their participation also underlines the importance of developing a wider pool of athletes capable of competing at the highest international level.

While India’s continued presence among the top five sporting nations offers encouragement, the decline in the overall medal count compared with Hangzhou provides an important benchmark for assessing performance across disciplines. Sustaining momentum will require continued investment in athlete development, coaching, sports science and competition exposure.

Thursday’s interaction will provide an opportunity to recognise the contingent’s efforts and acknowledge the achievements of athletes who represented the country. It will also bring the spotlight back to India’s broader sporting ambitions as it seeks to strengthen its performance at major international competitions.