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)
Published – May 27, 2025 12:16 am IST