Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar Advocates Economic Nationalism, Emphasizes “Vocal for Local” at Bharat Startup and MSMEs Summit

New Delhi:  Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Vice-President of India, addressed the Bharat Startup and MSMEs Summit at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre today, where he highlighted the crucial importance of economic nationalism for the country’s growth. Stressing the need to subscribe to economic nationalism, he urged trade and industry bodies to import only what is “unavoidably essential” to safeguard India’s foreign exchange, prevent loss of employment opportunities, and foster the growth of entrepreneurship.

The Vice-President emphasized the essence of being “Vocal for Local,” stating that this spirit aligns with the concept of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and reflects the principles of the ‘Swadeshi Andolan’ during India’s freedom struggle. He applauded the effective performance of India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, recognizing its transformative impact on tier 2 & 3 cities and villages.

Shri Dhankhar highlighted the role of affirmative governance and ease of business policies in nurturing entrepreneurship and innovation in the country. He called for hand-holding entrepreneurs to optimize their performance and noted the crucial role of startups and MSMEs in ensuring equitable upliftment across all segments of society in a democratic nation like India.

Expressing caution against exporting raw materials without value addition, the Vice-President stated that the twin benefits of job creation and the rise of entrepreneurship within the country should not be sacrificed for short-term revenue gains. He underscored the importance of adding real value to contribute significantly to the national economy.

Shri Dhankhar appealed to corporate leaders to engage in research and development within the country, noting the lack of such initiatives in India compared to the global scenario. He urged corporates to take significant steps in supporting local universities and academic institutions, emphasizing the importance of nurturing homegrown research and development.

The event was attended by Shri Sanjeev Agrawal, President of PHDCCI, Shri Hemant Jain, Sr. Vice President of PHDCCI, and other dignitaries. The Vice-President’s address at the summit resonated with a call for a collective commitment to economic nationalism and the promotion of indigenous initiatives, echoing the vision of a self-reliant and prosperous India.