Design, patents and tech to drive next growth phase, Indian finance chief declares

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told business leaders that India's economic ascent will be defined by its capacity to generate high‑value intellectual property. While acknowledging the role of large‑scale manufacturing, she placed greater emphasis on design, engineering, software development, and patent creation as engines of future growth.

She noted that India's sizeable domestic market and vibrant startup ecosystem provide fertile ground for such transformation. The minister appealed to entrepreneurs to invest in research and development, citing the need for a systematic approach to turning ideas into market‑ready products that can compete on a global stage.