PM Modi hails Make in India, shares how govt is addressing rare earth shortage issue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reiterated that India is aware of the problems emerging from rare earth curbs by China and is looking to tackle it with the country's 'National Critical Minerals Mission'.

Speaking at a Maruti Suzuki event in Gujarat, the PM said, "The Indian government is also aware of the shortage of rare earth manganese for the auto industry. To increase the capacity of the industry in this direction, we have also launched the National Critical Mineral Mission. Under this, more exploration missions will be conducted at different places in the country, and critical minerals will be discovered..."

Under the government's 'Make in India' initiative, the country is focused on advancing semiconductor manufacturing and other futuristic industries, he mentioned, also stating that electronics production in India rose by 500%, mobile production by 2,700% and defence production by 200% in the last decade.


He further said, "India is not going to stop here. In the sectors where we have performed well, we aim to do even better. That is why we are emphasising Mission Manufacturing. In the coming time, our focus will be on futuristic industries. In the semiconductor sector, India is taking off..."

Calling all states to compete in reforms, pro-development policies and good governance, PM Modi said, "In today’s competitive era, states that keep their policies neat, clean, and investor-friendly gain more trust from investors. Investors then come confidently. The whole world is looking at India, and no state should lag behind. Every state should seize opportunities, creating competition that compels investors to choose India over any other country."

For the PM e-Drive Scheme, Maruti Suzuki has prepared a prototype of the hybrid ambulance that can help convert old Ambulances into Hybrid EVs.

After he flagged of the new e-Vitara by Maruti Suzuki, Modi said, "Last year, during my Singapore visit, I said that we can convert our old Ambulances into Hybrid EVs. Maruti Suzuki accepted this challenge and prepared a working prototype as well. I just saw the prototype of the hybrid ambulance."

"It fits perfectly with the PM e-Drive Scheme. In approximately Rs 11,000 crore plan, a budget has also been allocated for e-Ambulances. Hybrid EVs will reduce pollution and provide solutions for transforming older vehicles," he said.

The world will drive electric vehicles that are made in India, Modi said urging people to buy only swadeshi products. He added that it is not important who makes the investment, but what matters is that the hard work for making the product should be of Indians.

He said that 'swadeshi' should be every Indian’s life mantra. “My definition of swadeshi is where money is invested by anybody but work is done by Indians,” he added.

“Today is a great day for 'Make in India' as e-vehicles made in the country will be exported to 100 countries. The world will drive electric vehicles that are made in India,” he said.

India has the power of democracy, the advantage of demography and a very large pool of skilled workforce, Modi said.