Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal addressed the SRCC Centenary Conclave on "Pathways to Viksit Bharat," calling on young Indians to embrace emerging technologies and contribute to India's journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047. He emphasized that investments in manufacturing, technology adoption, and skill development would create opportunities for India's youth and strengthen the country's position in the global economy.
Goyal highlighted that countries are increasingly assessed as manufacturing and investment destinations based on political stability, resilient supply chains, and fair and transparent trading practices. He noted India has significant opportunities to attract investments and expand manufacturing, particularly in northern and northeastern India, to generate employment and support economic growth.
The Minister specifically called upon youth to prepare for the changing employment landscape by developing skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and practical application of emerging technologies. He stressed that large language models and other AI systems need to be developed into practical tools for businesses and ordinary citizens, drawing parallels with India's growth in the information technology sector during the 1990s and 2000s.
On trade agreements, Goyal announced significant progress, stating that "The US bilateral trade agreement's first tranche has been finalized and is going through final contours, the legal drafting. We hope to be able to finalize and operationalize that soon, once we get the competitive advantage over our peer countries."
Goyal emphasized the importance of continuous learning and personal development, encouraging students to view skill enhancement as a lifelong responsibility. He highlighted that India's youthful population, demographic dividend, large domestic market, and entrepreneurial drive position the country to remain among the fastest-growing large economies over the next 20-25 years. The Minister expressed confidence that sustained effort, ambitious goals, and willingness to take on new challenges would enable young Indians to contribute significantly to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.