Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Before Modi, people did not give much emphasis on manufacturing, says Jaishankar

: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India must focus on manufacturing sector to compete with China. 

Manufacturing is a key sector which was ignored by governments before Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, he said at an event in Surat, Gujarat on Monday.  

"If we have to compete with China, which we should, then its solution is that we should focus on manufacturing here. Our approach towards manufacturing has changed after Modiji came to power. Before that, people did not give much emphasis on manufacturing," Jaishankar said.

He added, there is no other way to counter China on the economic front. 

"If we talk of rising Bharat, it will rise through technology. You cannot build strong technology on weak manufacturing. At any cost, we should put special emphasis on manufacturing, because that is the only economic response," external affairs minister said. 

Jaishankar, a former ambassador to , emphasised that tension at the border has affected Sino-Indian ties.

"As you know, there is tension at the border (with China). And this has caused abnormality in our relations. For that our thinking is very clear that unless there is peace and stability at the border, the relations will remain in the same deteriorated condition," he said. Asked about relationship with Pakistan which remains strained and New Delhi's fight against terrorism sponsored from across the border, Jaishankar asserted India should never compromise on terrorism.

"For us to tolerate, justify (terrorism) -- are all wrong. The only response to terrorism is counter-terrorism. And they should understand this to make it a deterrent," he added.

Given India's leadership role, vision, stability, confidence and foreign investment figures, the