Latest news with #AtmanirbharBharatAbhiyan
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Operation Sindoor not over yet: PM Modi outlines India's bold anti-terror strategy
Delivering a strong message on national security, the Prime Minister stated, 'India has made its position clear, every terrorist attack will be avenged.' 'Our armed forces will decide the timing and method of the response,' he asserted. Rejecting the threat of nuclear retaliation as a deterrent, Modi said, 'Today's India does not fear the atomic bomb, nor will it base its decisions on such threats.' He added that India would no longer accept the excuse of state and non-state actors behind terrorism and that the masterminds and the regimes supporting them would be treated alike. Referring to India's strong military response through Operation Sindoor, the Prime Minister said the entire world had witnessed the anger of the country's daughters and sisters through the operation. 'Our forces entered deep into Pakistan and destroyed terrorist hideouts. The Indian Army's valour forced the Pakistani military to come on its knees and plead for a ceasefire.' He added that Operation Sindoor had not ended, it had only paused. Earlier in the day, PM Modi had an emotional interaction with the bereaved family of Shubham Dwivedi at the Kanpur airport. He met Shubham's widow Aishanya, mother Seema, and father Sanjay Dwivedi. Focusing on the importance of self-reliance in the defence sector, Modi said that India's weapons and missiles had caused devastation in the enemy country. He emphasised that achieving self-reliance was crucial not only for the economy but also for national pride. He recalled that India once heavily depended on other countries for its military needs. 'That is why we launched the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan', to free the country from this dependence,' he said. The Prime Minister credited India's growing defence capabilities to the resolve of a self-reliant nation, which played a key role in the success of recent military operations. He claimed that Uttar Pradesh was playing a vital role in making the country self-reliant in the defence sector. The PM highlighted that the UP Defence Corridor was attracting major investment, Kanpur's ordnance factories had been given commercial status, Amethi's Korba ordnance factory was manufacturing AK-203 rifles, and BrahMos missiles, used effectively during Operation Sindoor, were set to be manufactured in Lucknow. 'UP is going to be the front runner in defence export in the days to come,' said the PM.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
An operation that was also about a self-reliant India
Over the past decade, India has undergone a profound transformation across economic, technological, and strategic domains. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has been central to this evolution, underpinned by his belief that India must not only be a major economic player but also a strategic and technological power in the 21st century. Under his leadership, India has emerged as a globally engaged strong self-reliant and resilient nation. Path to industrial resurgence, innovation When 'Make in India' was launched in 2014, it signalled a paradigm shift. India no longer aspired to remain a passive participant in the global manufacturing value chain. Instead, it set its sights on becoming a manufacturing powerhouse. The policy ushered in major reforms that were aimed at improving ease of doing business, streamlining approvals, and encouraging both domestic and foreign direct investments. Sectors such as electronics, defence and automobiles saw renewed interest, with production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes further amplifying India's attractiveness as a manufacturing hub. In 2020, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Mission) reinforced this momentum. It was a fervent call for action to not only make India self-reliant but also become a global lighthouse in state-of the-art manufacturing, with modern and efficient value chains while integrating globally powered by its own strengths. This would also reduce India's dependence on imports in key strategic areas. It focused sharply on bolstering capacities in defence manufacturing, electronics, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals. These are not just economic sectors; they are also key enablers of strategic importance and national security. Parallel to its industrial resurgence, India has also emerged as a global innovation leader. Today, it is the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem. From fintech to agritech, health tech to edtech, Indian startups are not only solving local challenges but also competing globally. Importantly, the start-up ecosystem is beginning to make strategic contributions in defence tech, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and space technology. India's economic transformation is bolstered by global engagements and strategic partnerships. Collaborations such as the U.S.-India Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST) initiative and the India-France road map advance cooperation in AI, quantum, and defence tech. A focus on 'Made in India' Operation Sindoor was a moment of reckoning for Made in India. The operation showcased India's ability to strike with precision and confidence using indigenous defence technologies. The operation not only neutralised threats across the border but also symbolised India's gradual transition from a dependent arms importer to a producer of world-class defence equipment. India's defence exports climbed up to ₹23,622 crore in FY25, reaching out to close to 80 countries, and is expected to touch ₹50,000 crore by 2029. The private sector's contribution to these exports is ₹15,233 crore. We understand that much of the equipment used in Operation Sindoor was developed under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. This operation was, therefore, a validation of a decade-long focus on economic and technological resilience, under the Prime Minister. In today's world, national power is increasingly defined by technological leadership. Nations that do not control future-critical technologies such as AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space systems risk long-term strategic vulnerability. India has rightly recognised this and is actively investing in these domains. Government initiatives such as the National Quantum Mission and the India Semiconductor Mission are positioning the country as a hub for advanced research and technology development. The Indian Space Research Organisation's achievements, including the Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan missions, reflect the maturity of India's space capabilities. However, technology leadership cannot rest solely on government initiatives. It must be a national enterprise involving industry, academia, and startups. Indian industry remains committed to stepping up its efforts and actively collaborating with the government in this journey toward global excellence. Given the recent events, it would be important to strengthen industry's resolve to explore newer horizons to contribute even more meaningfully to building a secure and resilient tomorrow and reinforce India's position as a leader in frontier technology. Industry is helping build hi-tech capabilities across a wide range of critical sectors such as semiconductors, clean tech, next-gen mobility, defence and electronics. Industry has significantly contributed to India's space success by providing critical components and supporting satellite and launch vehicle development. It is helping enhance India's defence capabilities by developing advanced technologies, supporting indigenous manufacturing, and collaborating on joint ventures for systems such as missiles, drones, and combat platforms. Indian industry is playing a key role in building India's AI capabilities through investments, innovation, and collaboration. It supports initiatives such as Bhashini for AI-driven real time language translation in 22 languages and partners in FutureSkills Prime to train professionals, ensuring a skilled workforce for AI-driven growth. Going forward, the private sector must ramp up its investments in research and development (R&D). It must also be more aggressive in forging overseas technology partnerships and joint ventures to leapfrog India's technological capabilities. Collaborations between industry, academia and public research institutions are critical and industry should take a lead in catalysing these. Through these collaborations, not only should it contribute to R&D and innovation, but it must also contribute toward generating a steady pipeline of industry ready and trained engineers, scientists and skilled technicians who can drive innovation and manufacturing. A lead role for India India today stands at a defining juncture. With economic resilience, manufacturing strength, innovation-led growth, and a global outlook, India is no longer catching up — it is shaping the future. The Prime Minister's leadership has laid a robust foundation and this purposeful journey to Viksit Bharat will call for substantial industry action. As the Prime Minister has said 'Self-reliance has not only become India's policy, but it has also become our passion.' The Confederation of Indian Industry would indeed like to fuel this passion and see India rise to higher orbits in the future. India must now aim to lead the next wave of global innovation. It must embed technological ambition into its industrial, academic and strategic fabric. The vision is clear: a strong, secure, self-reliant, and globally respected India. Sanjiv Puri is President, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Chandrajit Banerjee is Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
The Print
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
China has mastered the art of dumping. India must take a cue from US to fight back
So far, no other country, including India, has raised tariffs on China. But most have been increasingly wary of dumping done by China, which has harmed their domestic industries. In a Truth Social post, Trump said he was raising the tariff on China because of 'the lack of respect' it had shown to the world's markets. 'At some point, hopefully, in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable,' his post read. Though President Donald Trump paused his 'reciprocal tariffs' on 75 countries on 9 April 2025, less than a week after announcing them, China was the only exception. He imposed a 125 per cent tariff as an answer to Beijing's retaliation to his moves. The White House later clarified the total rate for China was actually 145 per cent, including a 20 per cent fentanyl-related tariff. Dumping, in trade terms, means selling goods at low prices. It is said to happen when a country or company exports a product at a lower price in a foreign market than it charges at home. Dumping is considered to be an abuse of international trade. With the US effectively shutting its doors, the fear is that a cornered China will dump even more aggressively and flood other markets. India, in particular, must brace for impact. Also Read: Oil is making India obese and import-hungry. Modi wants to change that India's pushback to China's dumping China has mastered the art of dumping as a weapon in international trade, aimed at killing the domestic industry of importing countries. Once any country becomes dependent on Chinese materials, exploitation starts. The case of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is a living example of Chinese dumping and exploitation. After 2004, several APIs, including penicillin G and folic acid, were dumped in Indian markets at ridiculously low prices. Once Indian production was severely diminished because of this, the game of exploitation began. China started selling the same materials at four to 15 times higher prices. In doing so, it not only harmed India's API industry but also endangered the health security of the country. India has since responded by promoting domestic manufacturing through the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and by imposing anti-dumping duties on some APIs. More recently, in March 2025, India imposed anti-dumping duties on five Chinese items—soft ferrite cores, a category of vacuum-insulated flasks, aluminium foil, trichloro isocyanuric acid, and poly vinyl chloride paste resin—to protect domestic industries from dumping. The duties range from $89 to $1,732 per tonne and are for five years for most of these; a six-month temporary duty was imposed on aluminium foil. Earlier, in 2024 alone, 79 per cent of the anti-dumping investigations filed by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) were against Chinese producers. The DGTR is the apex body responsible for examining and recommending trade remedies in India, including anti-dumping duties. China will now dump more than ever There is nothing new about Chinese dumping, but after President Trump's hiked tariffs on China, the danger has grown manifold. With steep US tariffs in place, it will be difficult for China to export so freely to the American market, so it will likely be compelled to dump its products in other countries. Firstly, China has massive excess production capacity, leading to a surplus that it needs to offload. Its inability to sell in some markets compels China to dump the same materials elsewhere. China's focus has always been on export-driven growth, supported by the Chinese government. Secondly, Chinese companies receive subsidies and other government support, enabling them to market products at artificially low prices. There is no doubt that such subsidies distort market prices and lead to unfair competition. Thirdly, trade tensions have strengthened China's drive to control alternative markets. Fears about Chinese dumping are not unfounded. India has already felt its deleterious effects on manufacturing not just in APIs but electronics, textiles, and toys. While the Indian government claims it is keeping a close eye on the situation, industries remain wary about heightened dumping efforts by China. It is worth noting that the US has been attempting to curb Chinese imports for long. Under Trump, these efforts have intensified, leaving little room for China to reroute its exports. The US Senate has introduced two bills to this end. One is the Neither Permanent Nor Normal Trade Relations Act, focused on restricting direct Chinese imports by cancelling China's special trade status. The other is the Axing Non-Market Tariff Evasion Act (ANTE Act), which would restrict goods coming from Chinese-owned factories in countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Through these proposed laws, the US is trying to plug all possible channels through which China might try to sell its products in the US. Also Read: Trump has a point—the world is mooching off Uncle Sam, and it is time to rebalance India must do more For long, imports from China have been impacting India's manufacturing journey. The sector, which contributed 19.6 per cent of GDP in 1990–91, came down to 14.27 per cent in 2023–24. This is an alarm bell for India's growth aspirations. There have been several instances where India has used trade remedies under WTO rules, including anti-dumping duties and safeguard measures. Most of the anti-dumping duties imposed by India were on China. Despite such steps, however, India's dependence on Chinese imports has only grown. In financial year 2024–25, between April and February, India's imports from China rose by 10.4 per cent to $103.7 billion, compared to the same period a year earlier. Meanwhile, exports to China dropped by 15.7 per cent, totalling $12.7 billion. This has widened India's trade deficit with China, despite the long list of anti-dumping measures recommended by the DGTR. As India aspires to be a manufacturing hub for the world, it can ill-afford any fresh spell of dumping from China. It could jeopardise the dream of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. We have to strengthen and streamline our administrative machinery to stop China from using unethical and illegal methods of dumping its goods in Indian markets. Whenever India has invoked anti-dumping duties or any other safeguard measures, China has found ways to bypass them. Its tactics include product modification, where companies slightly alter products to fall outside the scope of anti-dumping duties; new producers, where fresh Chinese players replace those under restrictions; absorption, where exporters soak up the duty costs to maintain market share; and circumvention, where companies misdeclare the origin or characteristics of goods. At the same time, China has also been successfully rerouting its goods via ASEAN and other countries. To thwart anti-dumping efforts, China has shifted its factories to other countries and is now supplying goods through them. We can take a cue from the USA's new proposed legislations, which seek to curb not only Chinese goods originating from China but also goods produced by Chinese factories outside China. Ashwani Mahajan is a professor at PGDAV College, University of Delhi. He tweets @ashwani_mahajan. Views are personal. (Edited by Asavari Singh)
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Tata group stock trades lower for 6th straight day; slips 15% in 3 days
Tejas Networks share price today: Shares of Tejas Networks slipped 5 per cent to ₹696 on the BSE in Wednesday's intra-day trade, extending their fall after the company reported a loss of ₹71.80 crore in the March quarter of financial year 2024-25 (Q4FY25). Post Q4 results, in the past three trading days, the stock has plunged 15 per cent. The stock is quoting lower for the sixth straight trading day; it has slipped 22 per cent during the period. From its 52-week high level of ₹1,495.10 on June 24, 2024, it has tanked 53 per cent. The stock had hit a 52-week low of ₹647 on March 17, 2025. At 01:08 PM, Tejas Networks was trading 4 per cent lower at ₹701.50, as compared to 0.03 per cent rise in the BSE Sensex. Tejas Network Q4FY25 results Tejas Networks reported a consolidated net loss of ₹71.80 crore in Q4FY25, compared to a net profit of ₹146.78 crore in the same quarter of FY24. Revenues from sales and services grew 54.2 per cent to ₹1,806 crore, from ₹1,171 crore recorded in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. During the quarter, the company's order book stood at ₹1,019 crore, against ₹2,681 crore at the end of December 2024 quarter (Q3FY25). FY26 Outlook The company said that global market trends remain favourable, with strong projected growth across all its product segments. Markets for the company's product segments are projected to grow globally. Domestic opportunity pipeline includes large projects in the government sector. Several new customers and new applications wins in both the private and Government sectors, which are set to expand in FY26. Partnership with NEC gives us access to global customers and joint go-to-market opportunities. Expanded global sales footprint and strategic initial wins will give us a strong momentum for increasing our international business. The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan of the Government of India (GoI), which is aimed at limiting import dependence and increasing the demand for indigenous products, provides better growth opportunities for the company. ICRA in a rating rationale dated March 31, 2025, notes that moderation in the operating income is likely to put pressure on the company's profit margins. Thus, the addition of the order book remains a key monitorable. Further, Tejas Network's profitability and cash flows are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuation risks. Tejas Networks has also entered into technology collaboration agreements with NEC Corporation, Japan (NEC), for the development of advanced wireless technologies for the global telecom industry. As part of the technology collaboration agreement, it will have to pay ~USD 60 million to NEC over the next one year, as per the milestones. About Tejas Networks Tejas Networks designs and manufactures high-performance wireline and wireless networking products for telecommunications service providers, internet service providers, utilities, defence and government entities in over 75 countries. Tejas is an innovative, leading-edge technology company with a wide range of communication products for 4G/5G, Optical, Routing, Broadcast and Satellite Communication applications. With its unique 'chipset-to-systems' expertise, Tejas' solutions include award-winning SDR chipsets for communications, next-generation Open RAN Solutions for 5G networks, multi-standard direct to mobile (D2M) broadcast and Satcom solutions. Tejas Networks is a part of the Tata Group, with Panatone Finvest Ltd. (a subsidiary of Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd.) being the majority shareholder.
Times of Oman
02-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Pace of India's Imports from China Receding
India's merchandise imports from World grew at an average rate of 8% from 2019 to 2024, while imports from China grew at a slower rate of 5%, reflecting reduced reliance on Chinese goods. Although India has faced many challenges due to its over-dependence on Chinese imports, the strategic initiatives taken by the government in the recent years to reduce this dependency while promoting domestic manufacturing capabilities have become visible. India's trade relations with China have been a subject of considerable scrutiny over the past few decades. For years, India was heavily reliant on China for imports, particularly in sectors like electronics, machinery, textiles, and chemicals. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the pattern of India's imports from China, particularly in the post-COVID era. The pace of imports from China has been receding, a development that carries significant implications for India's economic landscape. The concerns with high imports from China India's growing reliance on Chinese imports was a cause for concern for several reasons. Prominent among these concerns was the trade deficit between the two nations, which had been steadily widening for years. The imbalance in trade had become a major issue for India, as it imported far more from China than it exported to the country. One of the most pressing issues India faced was the dumping flow-cost products into the Indian market by China, which severely impacted local industries. This phenomenon, known as "dumping," occurs when a country exports goods at prices lower than the cost of production, often leading to unfair competition. The influx of cheap Chinese goods led to affect production possibility frontiers of many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India, especially in sectors like electronics, textiles, and chemicals, which were unable to compete with the low prices of Chinese imports. For India's domestic industries, particularly its micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the situation was even direr. MSMEs play a crucial role in India's economy, providing employment to millions of people, particularly in rural areas. The availability of cheaper Chinese alternatives made it difficult for local producers to expand their operations, invest in new technology, and create new jobs. This had long-term consequences for India's economic growth and employment generation. India's shift toward diversifying imports In response to these challenges, India has undertaken significant efforts to reduce its dependence on China for imports. This shift is part of a broader strategy to promote self-reliance, boost domestic manufacturing, and create a more resilient and competitive of the key initiatives driving this shift is the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' (Self-Reliant India Campaign), launched by the government in 2020. These initiatives aims to build indigenous capacities and reduce dependency on foreign imports, particularly from China. This vision is aligned with the 'Make in India' campaign, which was launched earlier in 2014 to promote local manufacturing, attract foreign investment, and generate employment. Through these programs, the government has focused on creating a conducive environment for the growth of domestic industries. This includes reducing the cost of doing business, improving ease of doing business, and enhancing infrastructure. By addressing issues such as high taxation, regulatory hurdles, and bureaucratic hurdles, India aims to create a more attractive environment for both domestic and international businesses. Furthermore, the government has been actively promoting the growth of sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, machinery, automobiles, textiles, and garments. India's imports from the world grew at an average rate of 8% between 2019 and 2024, despite fluctuations. Imports from China, however, grew at a slower average rate of 5%, indicating a decreasing dependence on Chinese goods. While imports from the world saw a significant surge in 2021 and 2022, imports from China grew more modestly, with a decline in 2024. India's import growth from World and China Year India imports from World (USD Bn) YoY (%) India imports from China (USD Bn) YoY (%) 2019 479 -6 68 -8 2020 368 -23 59 -17 2021 570 55 88 33 2022 733 29 102 14 2023 672 -8 122 16 2024 703 5 109 -12 Average -- 8 -- 5 Source: ITC Trade Map Enhancing competitiveness and building domestic capabilities A central pillar of India's strategy to reduce imports from China is the emphasis on strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities. The government has invested heavily in developing indigenous resources, skilled manpower, and technological infrastructure to produce high-quality products that can compete in both domestic and international markets. This is evident in sectors such as electronics, where the government has implemented policies to encourage the growth of local manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports. India's growing focus on skill development has also been an essential aspect of this transformation. With the establishment of numerous skill development centers and training programs, the country aims to develop a workforce that is equipped with the technical skills required to drive the growth of various sectors. This focus on skill development not only supports domestic industries but also ensures that India's workforce can compete globally. The government has also worked towards improving supply chain logistics and integrating MSMEs into global value chains. This is critical for ensuring that Indian industries are not only competitive within the country but are also able to tap into global markets. By creating a more integrated and efficient supply chain, India aims to reduce the cost of production, increase competitiveness, and ensure long-term growth. Promoting "Vocal for Local" and encouraging consumer preferences for domestic products Another significant strategy to reduce imports from China has been the promotion of the "Vocal for Local" campaign. This initiative encourages Indian consumers to prefer domestically produced goods over imported ones. The idea is to cultivate a sense of pride in Indian-made products and shift consumer preferences towards supporting local industries. The long-term goal is to create a robust domestic manufacturing ecosystem that can deliver high-quality products at competitive prices. By increasing domestic production, India aims to reduce its dependence on imports and create a more sustainable and resilient economy. Role of innovation, research, and development Innovation and research play a crucial role in driving the competitiveness of any economy. To ensure that India's domestic industries can compete with the global market, the government has significantly increased investments in research and development (R&D). These investments are aimed at fostering innovation, improving product quality, and developing new technologies. The focus on R&D is particularly evident in sectors like pharmaceuticals, electronics, and renewable energy, where India has significant potential to become a global leader. India is increasingly focusing on building a more self-reliant economy that can stand on its own feet and reduce external dependencies. While economic relations with China are strong, the shift in India's trade dynamics is significant. In conclusions, the pace of India's imports from China has been steadily receding in the post-COVID years due to a combination of strategic initiatives, policy measures, and a growing emphasis on self-reliance and domestic manufacturing. By focusing on strengthening indigenous production capabilities, promoting local industries, and reducing dependency on foreign imports, India is on its way to becoming a more competitive and resilient economy. This shift not only has the potential to improve India's trade balance but also to create new opportunities for businesses, enhance employment prospects, and contribute to the long-term growth of the economy.
