Jaishankar calls for focus on manufacturing to compete with China economically

During a corporate event in Surat External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke about the significance of focusing on manufacturing to compete economically with China Before Prime Minister Narendra Modis election in 2014 he said that manufacturing a key sector in all industries was neglected reported PTIAs per the PTI report Jaishankar said If we have to compete with China which we should then its solution is that we should focus on manufacturing here Our approach towards manufacturing changed after Modiji came to power Before that people did not give much emphasis on manufacturingHe added If we talk of rising Bharat it will rise through technology You cannot build strong technology on weak manufacturing At any cost we should put special emphasis on manufacturing because that is the only economic responseSpeaking further on the impact of border tensions with China on SinoIndian relations he said As you know there is tension at the border with China And this has caused abnormality in our relations For that our thinking is very clear that unless there is peace and stability at the border the relations will remain in the same deteriorated conditionResponding to a question about Indias relations with Pakistan Jaishankar per the PTI report said For us to tolerate justify terrorism are all wrong The only response to terrorism is counterterrorism And they should understand this to make it a deterrentAs per the report he addressed worries about the World Trade Organisation WTO saying that while it presents problems India should continue to participate in the global forum to preserve its interests Jaishankar also emphasised Indias economic reforms and COVID19 policies which have helped the country emerge as the fastestgrowing major economy and enhanced worldwide perception the report addedAdditionally he underlined Indias leadership role and its appeal to international collaboration highlighting instances such as trade deals with the UAE and technological collaborations with the United States and EuropeJaishankar spoke about Indias cautious approach to free trade agreements FTAs focusing on tangible advantages and antidumping safeguards the report addedAn agreement for an economic corridor between India and Europe through Saudi Arabia and the UAE reached during the G20 meet last year and collaboration with the Western world on emerging technologies such as semiconductors and drones have put the country in a unique position These countries think that India is a unique nonreplaceable partner and hence they want to work with India at any cost Jaishankar addedHe further stated Many countries want to enter into an FTA with India Many of our negotiations are underway but we believe we will only enter into such FTAs when benefits for us are clear and we are not hurt by opening doors for dumpingHe highlighted Indias efforts to defend its nationals interests overseas through mobility agreements with several countries emphasising prospects for Indian professionals around the world reported PTIIndian doctors and engineers are in great demand across the world and the country wants to protect the interest of its people going abroad and ensure they are given equal treatment he said and added For this we enter into a mobility agreement with different countries In the last two years we have entered into mobility agreements with Germany Austria Italy France and Australia For us opportunities exist even outside the country and they can come in different forms