The Decade of Self-Reliant India

India’s successful execution of Operation Sindoor in 2025, powered by indigenous defence technologies developed under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, marks a major milestone in the country’s decade-long pursuit of self-reliance in strategic and high-tech sectors. This operation reflects India's shift from a defence importer to a credible global exporter, aligning with its vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Industrial Resurgence and Strategic Manufacturing

• Make in India as a Policy Pivot: It is Launched in 2014, the Make in India campaign reshaped India’s industrial policy, aiming to position India as a global manufacturing hub through regulatory reforms, improved ease of doing business, and sectoral focus on electronics, automobiles, and defence.
• PLI Schemes for Targeted Industrial Growth: The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes, introduced post-2020, incentivized key sectors such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals, promoting integration into global value chains and reducing reliance on imports.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat for Strategic Autonomy: The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan emphasized the strategic imperative of self-reliance, linking economic policy to national security, particularly in defence manufacturing and technology-intensive sectors.

Innovation, Defence Indigenisation and Global Positioning:

• India's Rise as an Innovation Powerhouse: With the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, India is driving advancements in AI, space tech, and health tech, while fostering strategic partnerships such as the S.-India TRUST initiative and the India-France Roadmap on frontier technologies.
• Operation Sindoor – A Proof of Strategic Capability: Operation Sindoor, executed using domestically produced defence equipment, validated India's indigenous R&D and marked a turning point in India's transition from arms dependency to becoming a significant defence exporter (?23,622 crore in FY25).
• Private Sector’s Role in Defence Export Growth: Over ?15,000 crore worth of defence exports in FY25 originated from the private sector, which is now pivotal in drone systems, combat platforms, and cybersecurity, reinforcing the goal of achieving ?50,000 crore exports by 2029.

Technological Readiness and the Role of Industry:

• Strategic Tech Missions for Future Readiness: Missions like the India Semiconductor Mission and National Quantum Mission position India as a frontier R&D nation, building sovereignty in future-critical technologies.
• ISRO and National Space Capabilities: Achievements such as Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan underscore India's rising stature in space exploration, with increasing industry involvement in components and satellite launch systems.
• AI and Skilling for a Tech-Driven Future: Industry-led initiatives such as Bhashini and FutureSkills Prime highlight collaborative efforts in AI development and workforce upskilling, crucial for sustaining long-term technological competitiveness.

Practice Question:

Q. “The success of Operation Sindoor highlights the intersection of strategic autonomy and indigenous innovation in India’s defence policy.” Critically examine this statement in the context of the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. (250 words)