Berlin: Manufacturing is the backbone of strong economies, but unfortunately, manufacturing in India is on the decline, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has said.

Rahul Gandhi, who is currently on a visit to Germany, has drawn criticism as his overseas trip comes ahead of the conclusion of the Parliament session. Amid this backdrop, he visited the BMW manufacturing facility, where he closely examined the BMW G 450 GS motorcycle. The model has been jointly developed by BMW and TVS Motor Company, which operates its manufacturing unit in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The motorcycle is yet to be launched in India.

Rahul Gandhi shared a video of his visit on social media and issued a statement highlighting his experience. He said he visited the BMW plant in Munich, which offered him an opportunity to understand the global standards and vision of BMW. Witnessing world-class manufacturing at close quarters, he noted, was a remarkable experience.

Calling it a proud moment, Rahul Gandhi said seeing the 450cc motorcycle developed in collaboration with TVS showcased the strength and capability of Indian engineering on a global platform.

Emphasising the importance of manufacturing, he said it forms the backbone of resilient economies. However, manufacturing in India is unfortunately weakening. To accelerate growth, the country must significantly expand its manufacturing base, build meaningful and robust production ecosystems, and create a large number of high-quality jobs, he added.