India's Manufacturing Not Declining, Just Late to Scale: Data Rebuts Rahul Gandhi's Claim

• Rahul Gandhi's claim of declining Indian manufacturing, made in Germany, is challenged by available data.
• India exported over 5 million vehicles in FY2023-24, a 20% year-on-year growth, positioning it among the world's largest auto exporters (SIAM).
• Auto-component exports reached $21 billion in FY2023, with precision-engineered components going to major global markets (Ministry of Commerce & Industry).
• IBEF projects India to be the third-largest global automobile industry by 2030, indicating sustained growth, not decline.
• India's manufacturing growth is steady but late due to historical services-led policies and democratic processes, unlike authoritarian models.

Why It Matters: Indian manufacturing shows steady growth and export strength, refuting claims of decline despite historical policy choices.