MoD introduces import embargo on 101 items in big push to Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative | India News – Times of India

Defence minister Rajnath Singh.

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to promote indigenous weapons over expensive foreign ones, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday announced an import embargo on 101 items beyond given timeline to boost indigenisation of defence production under Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The defence minister said that Prime minister Narendra Modi gave the clarion call for a self-reliant India based on the five pillars, i.e., economy, infrastructure, system, demography & demand and has announced a special economic package for a self-reliant India named Atamnirbhar Bharat.
Taking cue from that evocation, the ministry of defence has prepared a list of 101 items for which there would be an embargo on the import beyond the timeline indicated against them. This is a big step towards self-reliance in defence, Singh said.
A ‘Negative Arms List‘ under which imports of certain weapon systems and platforms will be banned to promote domestic defence manufacturing, will be notified with year-wise timelines for placing an embargo on import of such items from those dates.
This list would be updated periodically, without compromising on the operational requirements of the Services, to allow lead-time to domestic industry.