Our curbs on computer imports constitute a bold strategic move

India recently restricted imports of personal computers, laptops, palmtops, automatic data processing machines, micro-computers and large/mainframe computers. Despite the fact that such a bold strategic decision aims to boost indigenous manufacturing for job creation, self-reliance, risk diversification and in turn sustainable economic growth, the move faced severe criticism from various quarters that overlooked contemporary economic realities. With a vast domestic market, India is a net importer of desktops and laptops, which account for a trade deficit of $10 billion, whereas China is a net exporter with a trade surplus of $188 billion. Our dependence on Chinese imports of these items…