Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has pledged to boost manufacturing in India in its potential third term. The government plans to target export-oriented sectors facing high import duties that harm their competitiveness. Arvind Virmani, a member of the government’s policy-making agency Niti Aayog, stated that reducing trade barriers and improving output-linked incentive plans would be a priority. The finance ministry is identifying sectors where duties can be reduced. India has already reduced tariffs on mobile-device components to stimulate production and enhance competitiveness. The government is attracting manufacturers through tax cuts, rebates, and capital support. This strategy has resulted in companies like Apple and Samsung ramping up production in the country. However, despite these efforts, manufacturing still only contributes 13% to India’s GDP, far from the goal of 25% by 2025. Virmani suggested India expedite trade agreements with partners like the US to capitalize on investors’ interest in diverse supply chains that reduce reliance on China. The government is also in talks with the UK, EU, and Gulf nations to boost local manufacturing and job creation. Discussions with the UK are nearly finalized, while negotiations continue with Australia and the EU.