ICMR, CDSCO, Industry leaders emphasize collaboration, regulatory reforms to strengthen India's pharma leadership

In his address, Shri Goyal termed the recent GST reforms as a progressive step towards achieving the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and called upon 140 crore Indians to unite with the collective resolve to make India a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

“These GST reforms are a step in the direction of ensuring an Atmanirbhar Bharat—a self-reliant India that cares for 140 crore Indians coming together with the collective resolve to make India Viksit Bharat by 2047, a developed and prosperous nation where everybody gets opportunity, where everybody becomes a participant of India's inclusive and sustainable growth story,” he said.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), highlighted the importance of greater collaboration between industry and academia to reinforce India's standing as the Pharmacy of the World.

“Indian Council of Medical Research is very keen to collaborate with all of you—academia, research laboratories, whether it is bioengineering or pharmaceutical or medical academia. ICMR, through its MedTech Mitra and Patent Mitra, is going to play a very important role in bringing together the academia and industry, and together we all are going to contribute to Viksit Bharat,” Dr. Bahl said.

Reflecting the approach of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary, stated that India is actively engaging with trading partners across the world to reduce tariffs, harmonize regulations, and open up new opportunities for Indian exporters.

“We aim to be the healthcare and wellness hub of the world, extending our strengths not only in pharmaceuticals but also in medical devices, Ayurveda, yoga, nutraceuticals and healthcare services,” he added.

Describing India’s recent steps on the regulatory front, Dr. Rajiv Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), CDSCO, emphasized the government’s commitment to ease of doing business while ensuring strong execution.

“Our aim is to make regulation lighter and execution stronger. We have taken a lot of initiatives in the recent past to demonstrate our intent towards making our regulations lighter and more industry-friendly. The world has recognized India as a powerhouse for healthcare supplies,” Dr. Raghuvanshi said.

Speaking at the expo, Praveen Kumar Mittal, Executive Director, EPCMD, noted that India’s medical devices sector, valued at nearly USD 15 billion, is projected to double by 2030, driven by over 800 start-ups, robust R&D, and a growing manufacturing base.

“India MedTech Expo 2025 will serve as a catalyst to showcase this growth story and foster collaborations to transform healthcare access in India and worldwide,” he stated.

The three-day India MedTech Expo 2025, from 4–6 September 2025, is being held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The event is themed ‘India: Global MedTech Manufacturing Hub – Precision Engineering yet Affordable’ and showcases a wide range of innovations and initiatives by MSMEs, start-ups, research institutions, state showcases, future innovation pavilions, and central government departments.

The expo is witnessing participation from over 150 international buyers representing more than 30 countries, offering a unique platform for global stakeholders to explore partnerships and investments in India’s expanding MedTech ecosystem.

Read also: India MedTech Expo 2025: DoP to hold second edition from 4th to 6th September