India's commerce ministry is preparing to release a list of 100 imported products by late September or October, aimed at promoting self-reliance and reducing dependency on imports in sectors like chemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and engineering.

This initiative, led by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, focuses on replacing imports with domestically produced goods to support 'Make in India' and the broader Swadeshi movement, especially targeting products with high import dependence but potential for local manufacturing.

The government is conducting assessments and consultations with industry stakeholders and various departments to identify these products, which include raw materials, intermediates, and finished goods, to strengthen domestic capacity.

The move is expected to foster regional manufacturing hubs, reconfigure sourcing strategies, and bolster domestic distribution networks, creating new opportunities for warehousing, logistics, and multimodal transportation sectors.

This effort aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to promote local manufacturing for both domestic use and global export, amidst challenges like reciprocal tariffs from the U.S. and India's trade imbalance.

Simultaneously, India is advancing negotiations for Free Trade Agreements with regions including the European Union, Oman, New Zealand, Peru, Chile, and the US, with the 14th round of EU talks scheduled for early October in Brussels.

The selection process for these products is based on preliminary assessments of which imports can be most easily replaced through domestic efforts, with the final list to be publicly disclosed soon.

This self-reliance push is also expected to open up opportunities for logistics companies involved in warehousing and multimodal transportation to support the expanding manufacturing sector.

The broader goal is to boost India's manufacturing capacity, improve supply chain resilience, and position the country as a significant global supplier, in line with the government's Swadeshi and 'Make in India' initiatives.

India's trade data highlights a substantial trade deficit, with August exports at $35.10 billion and imports at $61.59 billion, emphasizing the need to enhance domestic production and supply chain efficiency.

This strategic push is also a response to recent reciprocal tariffs from the U.S. and aims to strengthen India's position in global trade by promoting local products.