Overview

• At the FAITH Conclave on August 13, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar defined Atmanirbharta as the mindset needed to navigate a volatile world and to lay the groundwork for Viksit Bharat.
• He highlighted the tourism and hospitality industry as a critical engine for infrastructure development, entrepreneurship, skill enhancement and job creation.
• Jaishankar pointed to recent additions like the Maratha military landscapes and the Moidams of Assam to India’s UNESCO World Heritage list as evidence of cultural heritage boosting soft power.
• His comments followed reports that President Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods—a move Jaishankar said India should meet with strategic autonomy rather than concession.
• Former MEA Secretary Vikas Swarup urged the government not to yield to external pressure, warning that compliance would only invite further demands.