The BJP has criticized Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for allegedly casting doubts on and attempting to tarnish India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, particularly in the manufacturing sector. BJP National Spokesperson Tuhin Sinha accused Gandhi of consistently questioning and undermining India’s manufacturing capabilities. Sinha highlighted a video released by Gandhi around six months ago where he criticized Indian drone manufacturers compared to Chinese companies.
Sinha mentioned that instead of visiting major companies, he opted to visit a small drone manufacturing unit near Delhi to understand the ground reality. He praised the high-quality drones being produced in India under the Make in India initiative in the MSME sector. Sinha emphasized the significant growth potential of the Indian drone industry, currently valued at around Rs 1 billion, which is expected to expand in the future.
Questioning Gandhi’s motives, Sinha raised concerns about Gandhi allegedly defaming Indian drone manufacturers, the defense sector, and MSMEs. He questioned whether Gandhi aimed to promote foreign players and keep India reliant on other countries. Sinha urged Gandhi to support small businesses and manufacturers contributing to building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat instead of making disparaging remarks.
In a separate incident in February 2025, Rahul Gandhi had used a Chinese-made DJI drone, which is banned in India and often utilized by drug smugglers along India’s borders and de facto factors. Gandhi had shared a video titled “Industrial Vision for India” on social media, showcasing him flying the Chinese-made DJI drone and discussing the impact of drone technology on warfare, citing Ukraine as an example. He criticized the BJP government for not embracing this technology that he claimed revolutionizes warfare.
