Sitharaman at Kautilya Resilience, trade and R&D

Oct 3

DD India's complete report presents Nirmala Sitharaman's Kautilya Conclave address on economic resilience, fiscal prudence, buffers and strong banks. In direct remarks she calls for open, predictable, rules-based economic relationships, dialogue and negotiated agreements rather than geopolitical trade barriers. She urges private investment in research and innovation, citing India's R&D spending as 0.83% of GDP against the OECD's 2.7%, a 36% private contribution, and the ₹1 lakh crore RDI scheme. The report also describes gradual reforms, strategic-input autonomy through critical minerals, rare-earth corridors, Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and small modular reactors, diversification, and industry-led digital/AI skills training. These are her priorities and the broadcaster's account, not announcements that each programme has just been launched.

At the opening-day Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi, Nirmala Sitharaman calls for economic buffers, fiscal prudence, strong banks and continued resilience against shocks. DD India describes priorities for gradual reform, strategic-input autonomy through critical minerals and other programmes, diversification and digital/AI skills training. In the later interview, Indrani Chakraborty considers India's fundamentals and strategic balance strong but declines expertise on strategic resources. These are assessments and priorities, not new launches of every programme cited.