New Delhi: Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal took a swipe at CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke while discussing ways to encourage Indian scientists, researchers and technology professionals working abroad to return to the country.
Addressing Indian science and technology research students in Berlin, Goyal stressed the need to develop policies that could attract global Indian talent while preventing the misuse of government support programmes.
“If we do this, then people like Abhijeet Dipke will come and say that it was the government’s job to fund the students, grant scholarships, so why should we do it on our own,” Goyal said, arguing that policy decisions needed to be carefully calibrated to suit India’s democratic framework.
The remarks came in response to a question about whether India could introduce a programme similar to China’s state sponsored initiatives aimed at bringing back leading scientists, researchers and technology experts from overseas.
Goyal described China’s efforts to recruit overseas scientists and academics as a useful initiative for strengthening domestic research and innovation. However, he emphasised that India would need to consider the differences between the two countries’ political systems while developing a similar programme.
He also referred to the risks associated with government funded initiatives, making a remark about the consequences of misuse in China and India.
The minister maintained that India needed to strike a balance between attracting skilled professionals and ensuring accountability in the implementation of such policies.
Goyal highlighted the presence of highly skilled Indians across the world and urged students to contribute ideas on encouraging them to return home.
He said the decision to return was not always determined by financial incentives, noting that emotional attachment to one’s homeland could also influence such choices.
The minister encouraged the students to consider how India could create opportunities that would persuade overseas professionals to contribute their expertise to the country’s development.
Goyal is on an official visit to Germany and the Netherlands from October 22 to 27, accompanied by a delegation of around 100 Indian businesses and startups.
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