New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Tuesday that swadeshi should be a guiding principle for everyone. He highlighted that his government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative has fostered a conducive environment for both international and local manufacturers. Modi described his understanding of swadeshi as straightforward: he is not concerned about the origin of the investment, whether it is in dollars or pounds, or if the currency is legal or illegal. What is essential, he noted, is that the labor involved in production should come from Indian citizens. The Prime Minister made these remarks after launching Maruti Suzuki’s first electric vehicle (EV), the e-Vitara, at the company’s facility in Hansalpur, Gujarat.
He emphasized that the world will be driving electric vehicles manufactured in India. Modi urged the public to purchase only swadeshi products, stressing that the identity of the investor is irrelevant; what truly matters is that the effort to create the product comes from Indians. He characterized Maruti Suzuki as a swadeshi company as well. ‘Swadeshi should become our life mantra. Let us take pride in embracing swadeshi. Even products made here by Japan can be considered swadeshi,’ he remarked during his speech at the production site. ‘My definition of swadeshi is very simple. I do not worry about the source of investment…whether it is dollars or pounds, or the legality of the currency.
What is important is that the labor for production must come from my fellow countrymen. Those products will carry the essence of my country’s soil,’ he stated.
