PM Modi Pushes Self-Reliance at UP Trade Show, Highlights Defence and Small Business Growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India’s economic growth remains strong despite global challenges, as he addressed the inauguration of the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) 2025. He underlined the importance of building a self-reliant economy and expanding the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Modi stressed that every product which can be manufactured within India should be produced domestically. He highlighted government reforms, including easing of business rules, to support entrepreneurship. He also pointed out that nearly 25 lakh sellers and service providers are now connected to the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), enabling even small shopkeepers to directly sell goods to the government.
On defence, the Prime Minister emphasised that India’s armed forces want ‘swadeshi’ and are working to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. He said Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a major hub with projects such as the AK-203 rifle production and the ongoing manufacture of BrahMos missiles. A defence corridor is also under development in the state.
This year’s trade show features Russia as the partner country, a move Modi described as further strengthening India’s long-standing ties with Moscow. He reiterated that such collaborations, alongside domestic reforms, will help India achieve the goal of becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.