BABA KALYANI, chairman of Bharat Forge, argues why India must pivot from being a technology buyer to a self-reliant maritime power. Ten key takeaways from his speech at Sagar Sankalp:
◆ We are moving beyond a simple geopolitical transition; we are witnessing a “rupture” of the global order, characterised by prolonged conflicts and heightened tensions that disrupt world economies.
◆ In the current climate, economic strength and national security are no longer separate. Strategic autonomy is now essential for basic economic functions, such as purchasing oil without external dependency.
◆ Atmanirbhar Bharat is not merely a policy—it is a mandatory, irreversible path for Indian industry.
◆ India is moving past the stage of simply purchasing foreign technology. The focus has shifted to indigenous design, co-creation, and the domestic development of complex systems.
◆ The success of the shipbuilding industry is directly tied to the strength of the domestic supply chain. Local manufacturers are the backbone of maritime sovereignty.
◆ To become a top-five global maritime power by 2047, India is looking at a massive investment of Rs80 lakh crore into the maritime domain.
◆ As western economies are forced to rebuild their industrial bases, middle economies like India must focus on building “strategic economies” to survive global uncertainty.
◆ A core pillar of India’s roadmap is the goal of achieving a 200-ship navy, where every vessel and piece of equipment is built entirely within the country.