Military self-sufficiency has been the paramount goal of every Indian government. The Modi administration has likewise sought to reduce dependence on arms imports by pursuing an independent domestic industrial base. At the end of 2014, however, India was the largest importer of major weapons, importing about 15% of the world’s supply. Russia remains the largest supplier of arms to India, though its percentage has decreased from 67% in 2013 to 50% in 2014. The United States (27%) and Israel (13%) are strong contenders with European countries following at 9%. Self sufficiency is thus far from the reality. In Hudson Institute’s March 2014 conference and report, Manoj Joshi and Roger Zakheim argued that India cannot achieve self-sufficiency, as the country does not have the necessary technology or knowledge, and cannot survive in autarky. Further, it has made little progress in reforming its national security system management and does not have adequate personnel to give direction. Rather, India must find export markets by joining global supply chains and sharing costs and profits with its commercial partners, especially American ones.
Keyword: Narendra Modi, Labor Market, Energy, Healthcare, Trade, Capital Market