India must chart its own path to self-reliance: Experts
At a time when global economic relations are being reshaped by intense trade rivalries and technological dominance, particularly between the United States and China, India is presented with a crucial opportunity to define its own path toward self-sustaining economic and technological growth.
This subject remained at the center of discussion on the concluding day of a two-day national seminar on Swadeshi Vichar Varg. The event was convened by the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Punjab, in collaboration with Amritsar Group of Colleges (AGC), and brought together several key stakeholders, including former diplomat and BJP leader Taranjit Singh Sandhu Samundri, Radhika Chug (Director, Institute for Skill Development), and educators from across Punjab.
Under the central theme ‘Foundation for India’s Self-Reliance’, the seminar saw intellectuals, policymakers, technocrats, entrepreneurs, and academicians explore how India can harness its indigenous knowledge systems, cultural ethos, and native talent pool to emerge as a global leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution—with a strong foundation in self-reliance and swadeshi innovation.
Satish Kumar, Akhil Bharatiya Sah-Sangathak of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, said, “Swadeshi is not merely a reactive movement but a forward-thinking vision to develop India’s own ecosystem of innovation, production, and prosperity. This is the right time to make that shift, as global trade wars escalate and economic alliances are being reshaped. Amid these changes, India must focus on enabling local and mid-sector businesses to perform, whether through handholding or technological innovation.”
He emphasised that academic institutions must become epicenters of indigenous research that aligns with India’s long-term national interests. “They are no longer just degree-vending hubs but are now centers for upskilling and innovation,” he added.
A special session on “Swadeshi Startups and Financial Empowerment” featured successful entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and financial experts who deliberated on the challenges, opportunities, and future roadmap for scaling indigenous enterprises. Discussions focused on policy interventions, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem, empowering Self-Help Groups, and strategies to transform local businesses into national champions through ethical entrepreneurship and technology adoption.
Taranjit Singh Sandhu offered actionable recommendations and cross-sectoral insights, effectively bridging grassroots innovation with institutional policy support.
“The focus must be on a unified commitment to mainstream swadeshi research and promote indigenous innovation as the key to achieving a truly self-reliant India. MSMEs and small-scale businesses need support through favorable policies, while entrepreneurship must be encouraged in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, local manufacturing models, financial inclusion, the role of women entrepreneurs, startup ecosystems, and grassroots empowerment,” he stated.
The seminar also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan, New Delhi, and Amritsar Group of Colleges (AGC). This strategic partnership aims to advance collaborative research initiatives aligned with the core principles of swadeshi. The MoU sets the stage for joint efforts in knowledge creation, innovation, and academic exchange, focused on promoting indigenous development models and self-reliant growth.
Amritsar