New Delhi, Jan 16 (.) union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal today highlighted that one of the most visible transformations in a resurgent and new India is the growing self-confidence among the country’s youth.
While addressing the “Startup Pe Charcha” interaction at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Minister Goyal highlighted that one of the most visible transformations in a resurgent and new India is the growing self-confidence among the country’s youth.
He noted that young Indians today are increasingly willing to take risks, pursue entrepreneurship and experiment with ideas, marking a significant shift from earlier hesitations around career choices, and said that this self-confidence reflects a fundamental change in India’s mindset towards innovation and future-ready growth.
Speaking on the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Goyal said India’s recent agreements with developed economies provide significant opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs.
He explained that these agreements create certainty and confidence for investors while opening new markets for Indian goods and services.
Further, the minister encouraged startups to explore startup-to-startup collaborations and partnerships with countries abroad to attract investment and expand globally, highlighting opportunities across services, mobility, payments, sustainability, renewable energy and advanced technologies.
On deep-tech innovation, Goyal expressed optimism about the progress being made across the country, and noted that recent policy discussions have brought sharper focus to deep-tech development and said that the second Rs 10,000-crore Startup Fund of Funds announced by the government will significantly support deep-tech startups, particularly at early and critical stages of growth.
He added that his interactions with incubators and academic institutions across the country reflect strong momentum in this sector.
Referring to India’s space startup ecosystem, he noted that over 350 startups are currently operating in the sector, with deep-tech innovation at their core, and said the sector has crossed a valuation of USD 2 billion, with the government aiming to support the emergence of multiple unicorns in the coming years.
He further addressed concerns related to sectors such as handicrafts, and highlighted the importance of integrating technology into inventory management to enable artisans to access digital and e-commerce platforms.
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is willing to support such efforts by facilitating onboarding, inventory digitisation and market access, including through integration with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), he added.
. VK SAS .