Atmanirbhar Bharat 2.0 push: Amid Middle East conflict, India working on self-reliance in energy, nuclear power
Atmanirbhar 2.0: The Middle East conflict has led India to re-work its self-reliance strategy to shield key supply chains and strengthen energy security in response to the global economic disruption triggered by the conflict in West Asia. India currently depends on imports for several critical inputs, including certain chemicals, fertilisers, industrial materials, rare earth elements and advanced machinery.During the COVID-19 pandemic, India had rolled out a range of targeted measures to secure the availability of critical goods and reduce import dependence under the Atmanirbhar initiative.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked ministries and government departments to review the evolving situation and draw up both immediate and long-term, sector-specific plans aimed at cutting reliance on imports while ensuring steady access to essential supplies, according to an ET report.
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According to officials familiar with the matter, a key pillar of what is being described as Atmanirbhar 2.0 involves expanding capacity in green energy, nuclear power and thermal generation to lessen dependence on imported oil and gas. This renewed push follows a series of high-level reviews, including meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Security, to assess the implications of the Gulf conflict and the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.One official said the CCS meetings were broadened to include additional ministers in view of the situation. Chaired by the Prime Minister, the panel comprises the ministers for defence, home, external affairs and finance.The directive from the top leadership, the official added, is to “move beyond firefighting to building structural resilience.”The strategy will involve a detailed assessment of India’s exposure to imported inputs and vulnerabilities in supply chains.The renewed policy push comes after a series of top-level reviews, including meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Security, which examined the impact of the Gulf conflict and the disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.According to a person familiar with the matter, the scope of these CCS meetings was widened to bring in additional ministers given the seriousness of the situation. The committee, led by the Prime Minister, includes the ministers handling defence, home affairs, external affairs and finance.The direction from the top leadership is to “move beyond firefighting to building structural resilience,” the person said.Another official noted that the strategy will involve a detailed review of India’s reliance on imported goods and identify measures to reduce such dependence through targeted steps. Ministries and departments have been asked to evaluate vulnerabilities and prepare appropriate action plans.
