Deep Dive: PM Modi says developed India will be built only when nation is self-reliant

India's push for self-reliance, or Atmanirbhar Bharat, reflects a strategic pivot in national policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has positioned it as essential for becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bharat). From a geopolitical lens, this aligns with efforts to reduce dependence on imports, particularly in defense, electronics, and pharmaceuticals, amid global supply chain disruptions and tensions with neighbors like China. Historically, India's post-independence economic policies oscillated between socialism and liberalization, but Modi's rhetoric revives swadeshi ideals from the freedom struggle, adapting them to modern manufacturing and innovation goals. As an international affairs correspondent, the cross-border implications are significant: self-reliance aims to position India as a counterweight in Indo-Pacific dynamics, attracting investments from the US, Japan, and EU through frameworks like the Quad, while challenging China's dominance in regional supply chains. Key actors include the Indian government, private sector conglomerates like Reliance and Tata, and global partners wary of over-reliance on any single economy post-COVID. This policy influences migration of manufacturing hubs from China to India, affecting workers in Southeast Asia and beyond. Regionally, self-reliance resonates with India's diverse cultural ethos of resilience, from rural artisans to urban tech hubs, fostering national unity across linguistic divides. However, challenges persist in skill development and infrastructure, with states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu emerging as hubs due to proactive governance. The outlook suggests accelerated growth if execution matches ambition, potentially elevating India's global standing by 2047, its centennial independence year, but requires nuanced balancing of protectionism and openness. Stakeholders range from small farmers benefiting from agricultural self-sufficiency schemes to MSMEs gaining from procurement preferences, while implications extend to diaspora communities remitting tech talent back home. This vision matters because it redefines India's role from aid recipient to export powerhouse, influencing global trade norms and development models for emerging economies.