Mumbai, Sept. 13 -- India's automotive leadership used Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers' 65th Annual Convention to signal continuity on emissions and safety policy, a pragmatic push on biofuels and electrification and a growing dependence on software-defined vehicles, while framing exports and supply-chain resilience as medium-term priorities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a special message, said India must achieve "true self-reliance across the entire automotive manufacturing value chain," adding that "as the nation advances towards global leadership in green and smart transportation, opportunities for investment and collaboration are immense."

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said, "We will maintai...