India needs to focus on manufacturing, trade for growth: Modi

India should focus on expansion of trade and manufacturing to achieve the goals of economic development and Indian Foreign Service officials should become catalytic agents to convey the strengths of India to the world, prime minister Narendra Modi told a batch of trainee civil service officials.

The focus should be on expansion of trade and commerce and technology transfer so as to make India a global manufacturing hotspot, the prime minister told a batch of 29 probationers of the Indian Foreign Service who called on him at his 7, Race Course residence.

Stressingon trade and commerce, he said India needs to concentrate on 'zero-defect manufacturing' and 'packaging and presentation', to boost its exports.

"Indian herbal medicines are among the best in the world, but are lagging behind Chinese products due to poor packaging," Modi pointed out.

"The huge diversity and range of Indian handicrafts has not been presented properly to the world," the prime minister said.

 Modi asked them to reflect the essence of India's image and self-esteem as they take up their assignments across the world. He asked them to be well-acquainted with India`s history, and motivate the Indian diaspora to take pride in India.

 National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, prime minister's principal secretary Nripendra Misra and foreign secretary Sujatha Singh were present at the interaction.