India Must Transition from a Service Nation to a Product Nation: Ashwini Vaishnaw

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has underscored the importance of India's transition from being primarily a service-oriented economy to becoming a global hub for product innovation. Speaking at an industry event, Vaishnaw highlighted the need for a broader ecosystem involving startups, academia, researchers, and students to drive the country’s technological advancements.

"We as a country have been a great service nation. Now we must become a product nation also. The service industry must continue to grow, but simultaneously, we must develop a strong product-based economy," Vaishnaw stated. He added that this transformation would involve advancements in both software and hardware products, including analog and digital solutions.

The minister stressed that the traditional mindset—where only government institutions were responsible for innovation—must evolve into a more inclusive approach, fostering collaboration among various stakeholders. "A much broader partnership of academia, startups, students, and researchers must come together to create new solutions," he said.

Vaishnaw’s remarks align with the government’s vision of strengthening India’s presence in the global technology landscape by encouraging domestic manufacturing, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The push for a product-driven ecosystem is seen as a crucial step toward self-reliance in critical technologies and reducing dependence on imports.