Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal called upon young Indians to embrace emerging technologies, continuously upgrade their skills and contribute to India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. Addressing the inauguration of the SRCC Centenary Conclave on “Pathways to Viksit Bharat”, he emphasised 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.
Shri Goyal said that countries are increasingly being assessed as manufacturing and investment destinations on the basis of political stability, resilient supply chains and fair and transparent trading practices. He noted that India has an opportunity to attract investments, expand manufacturing and adopt new technologies, including in northern and northeastern India, to generate employment and support economic growth.
He called upon young people to prepare for the changing employment landscape by developing skills in AI, cybersecurity and the practical application of emerging technologies. Shri Goyal said that large language models and other AI systems would need to be developed into practical tools that businesses and ordinary citizens could use. Drawing a parallel with India’s growth in the information technology sector during the 1990s and 2000s, he urged the youth to take a leading role in developing and applying new technologies rather than limiting themselves to their adoption.
Shri Goyal also emphasised the importance of continuous learning and personal development. He encouraged students to view skill enhancement as a lifelong responsibility and to identify emerging opportunities that could help them contribute to business growth, ease of doing business and ease of living. He said that India’s youth could play a significant role in translating technological advances into practical solutions across sectors.
Highlighting the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Shri Goyal said that the goal of becoming a developed nation by the centenary of India’s Independence represents a collective commitment of 1.4 billion Indians. Referring to former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s call to overcome an inferiority complex and defeatist thinking, he stressed the need for confidence, ambition and a positive national outlook.
He also referred to the role of India’s culture, traditions and heritage in shaping the country’s future, and underscored the importance of collective effort and a sense of duty among citizens. Shri Goyal encouraged students to set ambitious goals and define their individual aspirations, noting that the combined efforts of citizens could contribute to India’s emergence as a leading global power.
Shri Goyal highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit of young Indians, particularly startup founders who are taking risks, addressing challenges and pursuing innovative solutions. He said that the energy, determination and ambition of young entrepreneurs reflect the changing aspirations of India and contribute to the country’s growing engagement with the global economy.
He expressed confidence that India would remain among the fastest-growing large economies over the next 20–25 years, supported by its youthful population, demographic dividend, large domestic market and entrepreneurial drive. He noted that Indian professionals are contributing to global businesses, technological development and scientific research, reflecting the growing role of India in shaping the global economic and technology landscape.
Speaking on Free Trade Agreements, the Minister stated, “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."
Concluding his address, Shri Goyal urged students to take responsibility for their own learning, adapt to emerging technologies and contribute to the country’s development. He said that sustained effort, ambitious goals and the willingness to take on new challenges would enable young Indians to contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and help create better opportunities for future generations.
Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/Anushka Pandey