PM Modi defines Swadeshi at launch of Maruti Suzuki EV, signals India’s global manufacturing ambitions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said swadeshi meant that “the sweat involved in the production belongs to my countrymen,” not necessarily the money behind it.

“My definition of swadeshiis very simple. I don't care whose money is being used. Whether it’s dollars, pounds, whatever the currency, it doesn't matter to me,” Modi said at the Hansalpur plant of Suzuki Motor Corp in Gujarat on Tuesday, flagging off the company’s first madein-India battery electric vehicle to roll off the production line. “The products must carry the fragrance of my country’s soil, the essence of Mother India.”

“With this spirit, come (forth) with me... By 2047, we will build such an India that the future generations will take pride in your sacrifice and contribution,” said the PM.


The eVitara SUV will be exported to 100 countries, Modi said. It will also be the first EV sold by Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker and a unit of the Japan-based auto firm.

The Prime Minister said this marked a significant leap toward the goal of “make in India, make for the world.” On the second day of a twoday visit to his home state, Modi also announced the commencement of hybrid battery electrode manufacturing in India by Suzuki.

The company is manufacturing in India and exporting these vehicles to Japan, Modi said. This, he said, reflected not only the strength of India-Japan relations but also the growing trust of global companies in domestic manufacturing capability.

India possesses “the strength of democracy and the advantage of demography” and offers a vast pool of skilled workforce, “creating a winwin situation for every partner,” the PM said.

Companies such as Maruti Suzuki have effectively become brand ambassadors of Make in India, he said. The local unit of Suzuki has been India’s largest car exporter for four consecutive years.

Rare Earth Magnets
Addressing one of the major concerns of the auto industry — shortage of rare earth magnets — Modi said more than 1,200 exploratory initiatives will be launched across India under the National Critical Mineral Mission to help boost self-reliance in this sector.

Stating that India’s policy decisions over the past decade are proving highly effective at a time when the world is grappling with supply chain disruptions, he said the country is working to make its manufacturing sector efficient and globally competitive.

Industrial corridors with plugand-play infrastructure and logistics parks are being established to support this vision, said the Prime Minister. Also, manufacturers in several sectors are being provided benefits under production-linked incentive schemes. While the government is prioritising Mission Manufacturing to drive this progress, India’s focus will now shift towards futuristic industries like semiconductors, he said.