Must-read interview by PM @narendramodi in @EconomicTimes today. 8 key takeaways for the international community- https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/we-should-assess-our-coronavirus-fight-against-the-metric-of-how-many-lives-we-are-able-to-save-pm-narendra-modi/articleshow/78922895.cms

1. India will become a global manufacturing hub on its own strengths. Our effort is not to become some country’s alternative, but to become a country which offers unique opportunities. We want to see the progress of all. If India progresses, 1/6th of humanity will progress.

2. We saw how a new world order was formed after World War II. Something similar will happen post COVID19. This time, India will ride the bus of manufacturing and integrating in global supply chains. We have specific advantages in the form of democracy, demography and demand.

3. #AtmanirbharBharat is not just about competition but also about competence, it’s not about dominance but about dependability, it’s not about looking within but about looking out for the world.

So when we say Atmanirbhar Bharat, we mean an India that is, first of all, self-reliant. A self-reliant India is also a reliable friend for the world. A self-reliant India does not mean an India that is self-centred.

4. We have just eased restrictions for FDI through reforms like you see in agriculture, labour and coal. Only a country that believes in the power of international trade and commerce would go on opening up more and more avenues to work with the world.

5. We have given a fair chance to those who have invested in India, shown their trust to expand their capacities and become globally competitive.

The Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative is about unlocking India’s latent potential, so that our firms can serve not just domestic markets, but also global ones.

6. We gave preferential access to our large market under our FTAs. However, our trading partners have not always reciprocated with the same treatment. Our exporters have often faced ill-intended non-tariff barriers.

While India remains committed to openness and transparency in trade, it will use the measures and instruments at its disposal in ensuring free and fair access for its exporters.

7. India is keen to be part of global value chains and wants to do trade deals but they have to be fair and non-discriminatory. Moreover, since India would be providing access to a large market, the agreement must be reciprocal and balanced.

8. India lived up to its name of being the Pharmacy of the World in the last few months, supplying drugs and medical equipment to around 150 countries.

We have shown the world that we have scale, sensitivity and reliability in the pharma sector and it will only go from strength to strength from here.