Editorial 1: ​​An operation that was also about a self-reliant India

Context

Operation Sindoor has shown that India’s 10-year effort to build strong economic and technology systems is working well.

Introduction

Over the past 10 years, India has gone through a major change in its economy, technology, and strategy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has played a key role in this change, driven by his belief that India should be a strong economic, strategic, and technological power in the 21st century. Under his guidance, India has become a self-reliant, resilient, and globally active nation.

Path to industrial resurgence, innovation

• In 2014, the launch of “Make in India” marked a major shift in policy.
  • India decided it would no longer stay a passive part of global manufacturing.
  • The goal was to become a leading manufacturing nation.
• The policy brought in key reforms:
  • Improved ease of doing business
  • Faster approvals for projects
  • Boosted domestic and foreign investments
• Sectors like electronics, defence, and automobiles saw a rise in activity.
  • Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes helped attract more manufacturers to India.
• In 2020, the launch of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Mission) gave a further push.
  • It aimed to make India self-reliant and a global leader in advanced manufacturing.
  • Focus was on building efficient value chains and reducing import dependence in strategic sectors.
• The mission focused on strengthening:
  • Defence manufacturing
  • Electronics and semiconductors
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Critical minerals
  • These are not just economic areas; they are vital for national security and strategic strength.
• India has also become a hub for innovation, with the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world.
• Indian start-ups are active in:
  • Fintech, agritech, health tech, and edtech
  • They are solving local problems and also competing globally.
• Start-ups are also entering strategic areas like:
  • Defence technology
  • Cybersecurity
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Space technology
• India’s economic rise is supported by global partnerships such as:
  • The U.S.-India TRUST initiative
  • The India-France Road Map
  • These partnerships promote joint work in AI, quantum technology, and defence tech.

Operation Sindoor: A Landmark for 'Made in India'

• Operation Sindoor marked a turning point, showcasing India’s ability to strike with precision using indigenous defence technologies.
• It highlighted India’s shift from a dependent arms importer to a world-class defence equipment producer.
• The equipment used was largely developed under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, reflecting a decade of focus on economic and technological resilience.

Defence Export Performance

• The rise in exports reinforces India's growing strength as a defence manufacturing hub.

Technology as a Strategic Asset

• In today’s world, national power is closely tied to technological leadership.
• Nations that do not lead in AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space technology risk long-term vulnerabilities.

Major Government Initiatives

• These initiatives aim to position India as a global tech leader, but full success requires nationwide participation.

Role of Indian Industry

• Indian industry is actively building hi-tech capabilities across key sectors:
  • Semiconductors, clean tech, next-gen mobility, defence, and electronics
  • Contributions to space missions via satellite components and launch systems
  • Boosting defence manufacturing with innovations in missiles, drones, and combat platforms
• In the field of AI, industry is:
  • Supporting Bhashini for real-time translation in 22 languages
  • Partnering with FutureSkills Prime to create a skilled tech workforce

Strategic Priorities for the Future

• The private sector must:
  • Ramp up R&D investments
  • Forge international partnerships to enhance India’s technological edge
  • Collaborate closely with academia and public research institutions
• These collaborations should:
  • Drive cutting-edge innovation
  • Build a pipeline of industry-ready engineers, scientists, and technicians
  • Strengthen India’s position in global value chains
• With continued commitment, Indian industry can help shape a secure, self-reliant, and globally respected India in the field of advanced technologies.

A lead role for India

• India is at a turning point, marked by strong economic resilience, growing manufacturing capacity, innovation-driven growth, and a clear global vision.
• The country is no longer trying to catch up with others — it is actively shaping the future.
• Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, a strong foundation has been built for this transformation.
• The journey toward Viksit Bharat (Developed India) will now require active and large-scale participation from the industry.
• As the Prime Minister said, "Self-reliance has not only become India’s policy, but also our passion."
• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is committed to fueling this passion and supporting India’s rise to greater heights in the coming years.

Conclusion

India must now strive to lead the next wave of global innovation by embedding technological ambition across its industrial, academic, and strategic sectors. The path forward demands a deep integration of cutting-edge technology, forward-thinking research, and a resilient policy ecosystem. The overarching vision is one of a strong, secure, self-reliant, and globally respected India, capable of setting benchmarks in innovation and shaping the future of the global economy.