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February 8, 2025

Charting India’s Trajectory to a Developed Economy by 2047

K
Kalpana SharmaCurrent Affairs Editor & Content Lead

Key Highlights

  • Regulatory overhaul, infrastructure scaling, and private‑sector R&D are positioned as pillars of India’s economic ascent.
  • Strategic diplomatic outreach aims to balance ties with both Global North and South while securing critical minerals.
  • Dual supply‑chain models – Just‑in‑Time for civilian markets and Just‑in‑Case for defence – are advocated to enhance resilience.
  • Legal simplification and digital public infrastructure are deemed essential for attracting foreign investment.

Detailed Insights

The February 6, 2025 NITI Aayog conclave assembled senior architects of Indian policy – the Vice Chairman, senior members, the CEO, the Chief Economic Adviser, and the Defence Secretary – to sketch a long‑range vision titled “Towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047.” Panelists underscored the necessity of sweeping regulatory reforms that would streamline approvals, broaden fiscal space, and deepen India’s integration into global supply chains. Private capital, especially in research and development, was highlighted as a catalyst for innovation and productivity gains.

On the diplomatic front, speakers advocated a balanced engagement strategy that simultaneously nurtures partnerships with the Global North and the Global South. Emphasis was placed on securing access to rare‑earth elements and other critical minerals, positioning India as a leader in renewable‑energy technology, and advancing trade liberalisation through tariff cuts and technology‑sharing agreements. The creation of robust digital public infrastructure was cited as a multiplier for both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Security discussions contrasted the civilian Just‑in‑Time logistics model with a Just‑in‑Case framework for defence, arguing that a hybrid approach would safeguard both commercial efficiency and military readiness. Strengthening procurement protocols, tightening cybersecurity safeguards for critical infrastructure, and fostering public‑private partnerships in defence manufacturing were recommended to fortify national security.

Key Concepts

  • Regulatory Reforms: Policy changes aimed at reducing bureaucratic red‑tape, improving ease of doing business, and aligning domestic standards with international norms.
  • Just‑in‑Case (JIC) Model: A logistics strategy for defence that maintains strategic stockpiles to mitigate supply disruptions during crises.
  • Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Government‑owned digital platforms that enable seamless data exchange, service delivery, and cross‑border collaboration.

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