New Delhi. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said that if China stops the supply of tunnel-boring machines (TBM) to India, India will develop this technology itself. He made it clear that India will not compromise with its strategic interests and is capable of facing any challenge.
Addressing the Young Leaders Discourse Forum organized at Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, Goyal said India is not a country that demands concessions from other countries or compromises its interests for access to any critical technology.
He said, “If they will not give us the tunnel-boring machine, we will develop it in India itself. India is not a country which bows down under pressure.”
Goyal stressed that no obstacle coming in the way of India’s development can stop the country’s progress. He said, “No matter how many walls are erected in India’s journey of progress, we can break every shackle.”
During the programme, the Minister also discussed with the students the economic development of the country, emerging opportunities and the role of youth in nation building. He said that the students asked many important and thought-provoking questions related to India’s development journey and the contribution of the youth in it.
Goyal said that India is moving rapidly on the path of development and the young generation has many opportunities to contribute meaningfully to this change. He appreciated the students’ curiosity and enthusiasm for the future of the country.
During his address, he also shared a light incident related to student life. He said that during school and college days, there was no greater joy than the announcement of holidays. Recalling his student life in Mumbai, he said that the expectation of closure of schools and colleges due to rain and waterlogging used to excite the students very much.
“As far as I remember my school and college days, nothing made me happier than the announcement of a holiday. I am from Mumbai, where we used to wait for the rains to create a slight flood-like situation so that schools and colleges would be closed,” he said humorously.
The minister also mentioned the ongoing teachers’ strike in colleges and hoped that the matter would be resolved soon, so that students can continue their studies without any disruption. He said that the role of youth is extremely important in India’s development story and the future of the country will depend on their innovation, skills and determination.