Nagpur, Aug 10 (PTI) The countries which are indulging in "dadagiri" (bullying) in today's world can do so because they are economically strong and have technology, Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said.

Speaking at the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) here on Saturday, Gadkari also stressed the need to increase India's exports and reduce imports.

"If the rate of our exports and economy increase, then I don't think we will need to go to anyone. Those who are indulging in `dadagiri' are doing so because they are economically strong, and they have technology. If we get better technology and resources, we will not bully anyone, because our culture teaches us that welfare of the world is most important," he said.

"We are facing various problems globally, and the solution to all these problems are science and technology, that is knowledge, which is a power," he said.

Increasing exports and decreasing imports is necessary if India wants to become a 'vishwaguru', the BJP leader said.

Research institutions, IITs and engineering colleges should conduct research keeping the country's requirements in view, he said, adding that though research in other fields is equally important. PTI CLS KRK GK

Technological self-reliance: strengthen science and exports to reduce dependence and deter economic coercion through focused research in national institutions. Emphasis on technological self-reliance and export-led economic strength to reduce external economic coercion, identifying science and technology as primary solutions to global problems. Increasing exports and decreasing imports are framed as strategic imperatives; research institutions, IITs and engineering colleges are urged to prioritise applied research aligned with national requirements to build national resilience and reduce dependence.