What happened: Rajnath Singh’s call to MSMEs at an MSME event in Greater Noida
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh urged MSMEs to invest a portion of turnover in Research, Development and Technology Upgradation. He said MSMEs should foster partnerships with universities, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), research institutions, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratories, start-ups and large industries so that MSMEs evolve from domestic suppliers into global enterprises for achieving Viksit Bharat@2047.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh made these remarks while addressing an MSME event in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh on September 01, 2026. He described Viksit Bharat as a nation that is globally competitive in manufacturing, a leader in technology and innovation, and capable of generating ample employment for youth through strategic and economic self-reliance.
Background and earlier position: MSMEs, global supply chains, and formal economy integration
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh connected MSME competitiveness to changes in global supply chains and growing demand for reliable manufacturing partners. He presented global trade integration as an opportunity for Indian MSMEs to expand and scale by leveraging international partnerships.
The government aims mentioned in the communication include integrating MSMEs into the formal economy and creating an enabling ecosystem for growth. The communication also cited MSME growth in registration numbers, stating that the number of MSMEs increased from around 4.67 crore in 2012-13 to approximately 8 crore in the present period mentioned in the communication.