BJP MP and Secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Mr. Praveen Khandelwal, extended trading community support to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s appeal to avoid the use of foreign goods. He stated, “This appeal by the Prime Minister is not just about the economy; it is a call for self-respect, economic independence, and empowerment of our local producers and traders. It reflects his unwavering commitment to an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’—a self-reliant India where citizens manufacture, consume, and export indigenous products.”

Mr. Khandelwal emphasized that to make the Prime Minister’s appeal effective, it is essential to provide traders and manufacturers with a single-window system under the vision of Ease of Doing Business. This would help resolve issues related to various departments at one point of contact. Moreover, the compliance burden related to taxes and other laws should be minimized. He also suggested imposing higher import duties on commonly used goods that are brought from abroad, so that their import is discouraged and domestic production and consumption are encouraged.

He further stated that the core sentiment of Prime Minister Modi’s appeal is to initiate a chain of consumption centered around Indian products, especially for everyday needs. This would be a strong step in the right direction. For certain goods that still require foreign imports, necessary steps must be taken to encourage their domestic manufacturing. He also stressed the need for strict control over e-commerce companies that sell foreign goods.

Mr. Khandelwal said that this appeal resonates strongly with the sentiments of small traders, micro-industries, and manufacturers, who are indeed the backbone of India’s economy. He added, “Every foreign product we replace with a domestic alternative strengthens our economy, generates employment, and reduces our dependency on imports.”

Highlighting the changing global scenario, he said that as supply chains evolve and countries look for reliable partners, India must seize this opportunity to emerge as a global hub for manufacturing and services—led by Indian entrepreneurs. “We must now treat ‘Swadeshi’ not merely as an emotion but as a national economic strategy,” said Mr. Khandelwal.

He appealed to consumers to shop consciously and prioritize Indian products across sectors—from daily essentials, electronics, apparel, toys, and furniture to digital services. He also urged e-commerce platforms, retailers, and corporate entities to give prominence to Indian products in their stores and platforms.

Mr. Khandelwal remarked that Prime Minister Modi’s appeal is not just a slogan but a strategic economic direction. If domestic demand shifts from foreign goods to Indian products, MSMEs and local manufacturers will benefit immensely. The time has come for Indian consumers to become brand ambassadors of ‘Vocal for Local’. He called upon the government to provide policy support, priority in public procurement, and incentives to boost domestic production.

“This is a decisive moment. If every Indian resolves to purchase only Indian-made products, we can script a new economic revolution from the grassroots,” Khandelwal concluded.