Make In India: The Sales Pitch

A mega show in Mumbai markets Modi’s global ambition. There is a long way to go. 

- Lhendup G Bhutia

At an early morning session, in a hall overcrowded with Japanese and Indian businessmen and government representatives, Amitabh Kant, secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and one of the chief drivers behind the Centre’s ‘Make In India’ campaign, sits brooding on the dais. One after another Japanese businessman take to the podium, humbly smiling and bowing before and after every speech, offering platitudes about the rapid growth of the Indian economy and the opportunities it offers.

When Kant’s turn comes, having already zipped in and out of several sessions simultaneously going on during ‘Make In India Week’, he is forthright, even brusque. “I admire the Japanese,” he says, “We all do. For the way you have built your post-War economy. And our two countries have always done business together. But I have to say this,” at which point he looks at the Japanese delegates sharing the dais with him, “companies like those from Korea have taken your place here. You make Metro lines with us. But the Metro coaches are all made by somebody else. You should… no, you must come and manufacture here. You must penetrate foreign markets from Indian land. Otherwise Japan’s growth story is over. Remember, nobody can grow forever. Your country is too advanced. Nobody...” he raises his hands to find an approximate height in the air, “can grow beyond six feet and a half.” The Japanese dignitaries who have so far been nodding at each other in agreement, now look quietly at each other. “For your own sake, you must shift your manufacturing to India.” And with that, Kant is gone, perhaps to another session of the grand event to offer a similar homily to another set of visiting businessmen, leaving in his wake delegates to express their opinion on India’s growth story.