Subhechcha Ganguly 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) 2025, where he underlined India’s resilient economic growth despite global disruptions and uncertainties. Stressing the government’s push towards self-reliance and the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Modi said several rules have been decriminalised to ease the burden on businesses, even for minor mistakes.
Reiterating the importance of indigenous production, the Prime Minister said that India’s defence forces are keen on reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. “We are developing a vibrant defence sector in India. We are building such an ecosystem where every part of our weapons has ‘Made in India’ inscribed on them. Uttar Pradesh is playing a big role in this,” he noted.
This year, Russia is participating as the partner country at UPITS. Modi said Moscow’s participation reflects the “strengthening of the time-tested partnership” between India and Russia. He also highlighted upcoming joint projects, including the production of AK-203 rifles in a Russia-assisted factory, as well as the establishment of a defence corridor in Uttar Pradesh where advanced weapons such as the BrahMos missile are already being manufactured.
