ISAS Special Reports

In May 2020, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (Self-Reliant India) campaign to help the country overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also meant to build a stronger economy that could withstand global competition. The prime minister also stated that a self-reliant India would stand on five pillars – the economy, infrastructure, a technology-driven system, vibrant demography and demand. The campaign, however, received mixed response with fears of India returning to the pre-liberalisation era and protectionist policies on one hand, and shifting the focus to local industry and indigenous modes of production akin to the idea of Swadeshi on the other.

The Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore organised a roundtable on ‘India’s Self-Reliance Initiative:
Old Idea or New Direction?’ on 10 December 2020. The event brought together academics and policymakers to discuss key themes about the AatmaNirbhar Bharat campaign. Among others, they discussed various aspects of the campaign through several historical, ideological, social, political and economic lenses.