New Delhi aims high

India is a strong contender after successfully organizing a series of Group of 20 events across the country last year.

While Narendra Modi's government is also bidding for the 2030 Youth Olympics, the 2036 Games remain the main focus, Indian Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on the sidelines of the Olympic Council of Asia's 44th General Assembly meeting in New Delhi on Sept 8.

"It is the dream of India to host the 2036 Olympics, we are making preparations for that," Modi said in a speech on Aug 15 to mark the nation's 78th Independence Day.

Mandaviya said strengthening India's sports infrastructure, including for multisports events, is an ongoing process.

India's National Olympic Committee and the Indian Olympic Association, or IOA, have started talks with the IOC's Future Host Commission, which deals with the host selection process. The dialogue is the first step toward bidding for the right to host the Games.

"India can successfully host the 2036 Olympics and it has sufficient infrastructure to host this grand event. Since the announcement came from the PM, the IOA has been duty-bound to fulfill the vision of the PM," IOA President PT Usha told China Daily.