Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday called upon industry leaders to move beyond government support and focus on becoming globally competitive. Addressing an event organized by the IMC Chamber of Commerce in Mumbai, Goyal emphasized that businesses must shed their reliance on subsidies, high import duties, and other protectionist measures to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.

"Till when can we look up to the government for support? Or, till when can we win on crutches of subsidies and support, incentives, high import duties, the protectionist mindset, and being very defensive in our engagement with the world?" Goyal asked, urging Indian businesses to embrace a bold and proactive approach.

He stressed that real competitiveness will come not from protectionism, but from innovation, manufacturing excellence, skill development, and efficiency improvements. The minister made it clear that without these, India’s aspirations to become a developed economy will remain unfulfilled.

"Unless we become competitive, the aspirations of 140 crore Indians will not succeed, and we cannot achieve being a developed country," he asserted.

Goyal acknowledged that certain sectors, such as oil, defence, and food, would still require import dependencies, but maintained that overall, India needs to increase its trade engagement with the world rather than shielding itself.

The minister, who arrived late at the event, remarked that he had been grappling with the "turbulent global situation" over the past ten days, indicating the economic and geopolitical challenges India currently faces.

His remarks underline the government’s push for self-reliance, not through protectionist policies, but by fostering a competitive and innovation-driven industrial ecosystem.