By integrating urban planning and building resilient supply chains, we can lead global mobility innovation: Mr. Rajesh Agarwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, and Industry
Mr. Rajesh Agarwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, today stressed on the need to integrate mobility solutions into urban planning in the light of rapid urbanisation. He also emphasized the importance of reducing carbon emissions in the sector to meet sustainability goals.
He was speaking today at a conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry themed "Co-Creating the Future of Mobility in India”. The conference is part of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida. Supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the event brought together leading public and private sector stakeholders to collaboratively define a shared vision for India’s rapidly evolving mobility landscape. The full-day conference focused on laying the groundwork for a sustainable, connected, and cutting-edge mobility ecosystem that could propel India’s economic growth, support the export target of USD 1 trillion by 2030, and meet the needs of an increasingly mobility-conscious consumer.
The conference focused on issues including scalable infrastructure, the evolution of consumer-focused mobility products, the role of ancillary industries, and strategies for driving export growth.
Mr Agrawal outlined India’s mobility future as a balanced mix of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and alternative fuels such as ethanol, LNG, and CNG, while stressing the need for continued investment in research and development. He also urged that India leverage its domestic market as a stepping stone for global mobility solutions, leveraging its demographic advantage and growing service sector. He further emphasized the importance of resilient supply chains for ensuring the stability and growth of the sector. He said India’s rapid urbanization calls for scalable, sustainable mobility solutions. By integrating urban planning and building resilient supply chains, we can lead global mobility innovation.
In his address, Mr Vimal Anand, joint secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, said the government was ready to give policy support but not subsidy to support the mobility industry.
Mr. Rajesh Nambiar, President of Nasscom, highlighted that India’s journey to becoming the third-largest economy relies heavily on technology. He noted how technology is transforming every sector, including mobility, from digitalization to electric vehicles. He pointed out that the future is defined not just by hardware, but by software, which is driving sustainable growth.
Mr. Shailesh Chandra, President of SIAM and Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd, discussed the need for regulations to align with international standards to ensure India remains competitive globally. He emphasized the necessity for a clear roadmap from the government to accelerate the pace of transformation.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the thought paper titled "Gearing Towards Smart, Connected, and Sustainable Mobility of the Future." The paper provided a forward-looking perspective on India’s mobility evolution, offering insights into the technological, policy, and market trends that will shape the sector’s future.
Mr Patrick Zeichmann, Partner and SEAN Automotive Sector Leader, PWC, highlighted that investing in India offers significant advantages, citing the maturity of technology, the well-established ecosystem, the vast size and growth potential of the market, and the country's strong export capacity.
Further, discussions centered on how India’s automotive component and tyre industries can drive innovation for sustainable mobility, emphasizing the use of green materials and circular manufacturing practices. The need for localization and the adoption of emerging technologies to boost exports was also highlighted. Collaboration among government, industry leaders, and stakeholders was deemed crucial for building a sustainable, future-ready mobility ecosystem.
20 January 2025
Noida