Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has once again taken sharp aim at the Modi government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, calling it a "slogan, not a solution" and alleging that it has failed to deliver on its core promise of boosting manufacturing and creating jobs.
In a video shared from Delhi’s Nehru Place electronics market, Gandhi was seen interacting with two technicians, Shivam and Saif, as he walked through rows of repair shops. His main criticism: India is merely assembling imported components, particularly from China, instead of truly manufacturing electronics domestically.
Key Points from Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks:
-
“We assemble, we import, but we don’t build. China profits.”Gandhi argued that under the 'Make in India' scheme, most electronics – like mobile phones – are assembled using Chinese parts, which results in little value addition within India. He claimed this practice benefits China more than India.
-
Manufacturing share has declined:He claimed that the manufacturing sector has shrunk to 14% of GDP, contrasting it with the scheme’s original goal to boost it to 25%.
-
Youth unemployment is at a record high:Gandhi linked the lack of manufacturing growth to the surge in unemployment, stressing that assembling devices does not generate the kind of sustainable jobs India needs.
-
Critique of Apple’s assembly plants:Although Apple now assembles iPhones in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Gandhi said this doesn’t count as real manufacturing. “Assemble as many iPhones as you want... all you’re doing is giving money to India’s oligopolies,” he said, pointing to the limited job creation and outsourcing of critical components to foreign firms.
-
Call for structural change:He pushed for “honest reforms” and financial support to small and medium producers, arguing that empowering local manufacturing is the only way to reduce dependence on imports and provide meaningful employment.
-
“The clock is ticking”:Warning of long-term economic consequences, Gandhi stressed that unless India undergoes a fundamental shift towards building rather than buying, it will remain a consumer market for global powers like China.
Political and Economic Context:
Rahul Gandhi’s comments arrive amid growing debate over the actual impact of the 'Make in India' programme, launched in 2014 to transform India into a global manufacturing hub. While FDI inflows and assembly units have increased, critics say India still lacks a strong domestic supply chain, R&D ecosystem, and manufacturing base for key components like semiconductors, displays, and batteries.
His critique also ties into the Congress party’s broader economic message: that the Modi government focuses more on optics and branding than real job-creating reforms.
As India approaches a crucial economic juncture post-COVID and ahead of key elections, Gandhi’s remarks serve as both a policy challenge and a political rallying cry for deeper industrial development reforms.
