Time now for Indian startups to focus on manufacturing, says Modi
This story was originally published at 18:51 IST on 16 January 2026
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NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said that having achieved various milestones over the past decade, it is time for India's startups to focus more on manufacturing. He was addressing leaders of select startups in New Delhi on the completion of 10 years of the government's flagship Startup India programme.
"Digital startups have done good work in the services sectors in the past 10 years," Modi said. "Now, it's time to focus more on manufacturing. We will have to make new products, best quality products. We will have to take the lead in technology innovation."
He urged startups to take the initiative in the field of artificial intelligence. "We have to prepare for the future," he said. "Countries that advance in AI will have a major advantage. Startups will have to do it for India."
He said defence manufacturing and space technology are newer areas that have opened up for startups. Already around 200 startups are working in the space sector, he said.
The prime minister appreciated the contribution of women entrepreneurs in the startup ecosystem, pointing out that there is at least one woman director or partner in 45% of the total registered startups in the country.
Mentioning various government initiatives and schemes for providing easy funding and other support to startups, Modi said India's startups are shaping a self-reliant and resilient economy and India has become the world's third-largest startup ecosystem. "Work on new ideas, solve problems," he said. "I assure you that the government is standing with you in your endeavours." End
Reported by Asim Khan
Edited by Rajeev Pai
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