India will not pursue protectionism policy, says Sibal

Government is in the process of finalising an electronics manufacturing policy, encourage the use of indigenous equipment, curtail imports bill

PTI | February 28, 2012



Allaying fears of foreign electronics manufacturers, India has said it will not pursue protectionism policy and will give level-playing field to all participants.

"Look at the policies of world around, we are far less protectionist than any other country in the world. There is no question of India becoming protectionist," Indian Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said.

The government is in the process of finalising an electronics manufacturing policy that would encourage the use of indigenous equipment and curtail India's import bill.

"There has to be a level playing (field) among players.

(Does) India have level playing when foreign companies enter? They need to see that," Sibal told PTI.

Recently, it approved a proposal that electronic products with minimum 25 per cent content from India should be given preference in government procurement in the first year.

He said the government is looking to ensure that dependency of India on imports is reduced over a period to cut trade deficit.

"We must make sure that in ultimate analysis, India does not have to import everything. Like other countries have done ... they have revved (revamped) their manufacturing capacities. That's exactly what we want," he said.

If India does not build manufacturing capacity, the import bill in this area alone will swell to USD 300 billion by 2020, he added.

The local value addition should be increased five per cent every year with maximum of 45 per cent over period of five years.

During his week-long trip, Sibal will meet telecom industry leaders and senior government officials of different countries.

"We are here to build confidence among investors...fact that India is market with enormous depth. Market itself is unsaturated, the investors should have confidence that India market has enormous potential and we will ensure that there is clarity of policy, so that they can make there long term plan and be in market for both, the good of their consumers and their own good," he said.

During the course of his visit, the minister is scheduled to meet officials from Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Telenor and telecom equipment and product vendors makers including Ericsson, Shyam Telecom, Alcatel Lucent and Nokia Siemens Network.

Comments

 

Other News

Who checks the books?

I read about the news about the Coimbatore library over coffee this morning. On the face of it, the headline was about a political ‘war’ between the DMK and TVK. But what stayed with me was something much more important than the blame game behind what had transpired. A writer walking through

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.  

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter