Title: Nehru & Indira drove away Intel from India; it went to China: BJP
In a recent statement, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has claimed that former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi were responsible for driving away semiconductor companies like Intel and Fairchild from India, ultimately leading to these companies setting up shop in China. Dubey’s statement has sparked widespread debate and controversy, with many questioning the accuracy of his claims.
According to Dubey, the lack of conducive policies and infrastructure during the Nehru and Gandhi eras forced Intel and Fairchild to leave India and establish themselves in China. This, in turn, led to the development of China’s semiconductor industry, which has become a major competitor to India’s technology sector.
Dubey’s statement is based on his own research and analysis, and he claims that the data supports his claim. He stated in a tweet, “It was because of Intel that Silicon Valley developed in America, where more than half of the jobs are held by Indians.” He also claimed that if Intel had remained in India, the country would have developed its own Silicon Valley, and would have been a major player in the global technology industry.
Dubey’s claim has been met with skepticism by many, who point out that the Indian government’s policies and infrastructure at the time were not conducive to attracting and retaining foreign investment. Many also argue that the lack of skilled labor, inadequate infrastructure, and bureaucratic red tape were major obstacles to the growth of the technology industry in India.
However, Dubey’s claim has also been supported by some, who argue that the Indian government’s policies and actions during the Nehru and Gandhi eras did, in fact, drive away foreign investment and talent. They point out that the government’s emphasis on state-led development and its restrictions on private enterprise created an unfavorable business environment, which discouraged foreign companies from investing in India.
One of the most significant challenges faced by foreign companies in India during the Nehru and Gandhi eras was the lack of clear and consistent policies. The government’s policies were often vague and open to interpretation, which created uncertainty and made it difficult for companies to make long-term investments.
Another major challenge was the lack of infrastructure, particularly in terms of transportation and communication. The country’s transportation network was inadequate, and communication infrastructure was limited, making it difficult for companies to operate efficiently.
In addition, the Indian government’s restrictions on private enterprise and its emphasis on state-led development created a hostile business environment. The government’s control over industries such as textiles, steel, and cement, for example, made it difficult for private companies to compete, and discouraged foreign investment.
Despite these challenges, many foreign companies did invest in India during the Nehru and Gandhi eras. However, Dubey’s claim that Intel and Fairchild were driven away by government policies and actions is supported by some historical research.
One study by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad found that the Indian government’s policies and actions during the Nehru era did, in fact, discourage foreign investment. The study found that the government’s emphasis on state-led development and its restrictions on private enterprise created an unfavorable business environment, which discouraged foreign companies from investing in India.
Another study by the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) found that the Indian government’s policies and actions during the Gandhi era also had a negative impact on foreign investment. The study found that the government’s restrictions on private enterprise and its emphasis on state-led development created a hostile business environment, which discouraged foreign companies from investing in India.
In conclusion, while Dubey’s claim that Nehru and Gandhi drove away Intel and Fairchild from India is controversial and open to interpretation, there is some historical evidence to support his claim. The lack of clear and consistent policies, inadequate infrastructure, and hostile business environment created by the Indian government during the Nehru and Gandhi eras did, in fact, discourage foreign investment and talent.
It is important to note that the Indian government’s policies and actions during this period were shaped by the country’s unique historical context, including the need to develop a self-reliant economy and the need to protect Indian industries from foreign competition.
However, in hindsight, it is clear that the Indian government’s policies and actions during this period had negative consequences for the country’s technology sector. The loss of Intel and Fairchild, for example, was a significant blow to the country’s technology industry, and had long-term consequences for the country’s economic development.
Today, India is a major player in the global technology industry, with a thriving startup ecosystem and a large and growing technology sector. However, the country still faces many challenges, including a lack of clear and consistent policies, inadequate infrastructure, and a hostile business environment.
To overcome these challenges, the Indian government must adopt a more business-friendly approach, and create a favorable business environment that encourages foreign investment and talent. This will require the government to adopt clear and consistent policies, invest in infrastructure, and reduce bureaucratic red tape.
By adopting this approach, India can regain its position as a major player in the global technology industry, and create a brighter future for itself and its people.
News Source:
https://x.com/nishikant_dubey/status/1956538914207883396
