We Assemble, China Gains: Rahul Gandhi’s Blunt Take on ‘Make in India’

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi labeled the ‘Make in India’ initiative a failure, asserting that it has led to record-low manufacturing and soaring unemployment. Speaking with technicians Shivam and Saif at Delhi’s Nehru Place electronics market, Gandhi argued that products like mobile phones are merely assembled in India, not manufactured, with China reaping the benefits. He shared a video of the interaction on X.

Importing Parts, Not Building Products

As the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi highlighted that electronic components are imported and assembled locally, boosting China’s economy. “Make in India promised factories, but manufacturing is at historic lows, youth unemployment is at record highs, and imports from China have doubled,” the Raebareli MP stated. He emphasized, “We assemble, we import, but we don’t build. China profits.”

Launched by PM Narendra Modi to position India as a global manufacturing hub, ‘Make in India’ has been a flagship initiative since 2014. However, Gandhi claimed manufacturing’s share of the economy has dropped to 14%. “Modi excels at slogans, not solutions. With no fresh ideas, he has surrendered,” he said.

Manufacturing, Not Assembly, for Jobs

Gandhi stressed that true job creation stems from manufacturing, not assembly. “Assembling iPhones just funnels money to India’s big oligopolies,” he remarked. Apple has been assembling iPhones in India since 2017, with three plants two in Tamil Nadu and one in Karnataka.

He clarified, “People confuse ‘made in India’ with ‘assembled in India.’ They’re not the same. Without manufacturing, India will lag behind. China dominates mobile and laptop production.” Gandhi called for “honest reforms” and financial backing to support India’s “lakhs of producers.”

A Call for Change

“India needs a fundamental shift empowering producers through genuine reforms and funding. We must stop being just a market for others. If we don’t build here, we’ll keep buying from those who do. Time is running out,” he tweeted.