<h1>Union minister urges domestic steel sector to focus on self-reliance, import substitution, safeguards, and capacity expansion</h1> A union minister urged the domestic steel sector to pursue self-reliance, import substitution, and Swadeshi principles while warning against predatory pricing from foreign producers; the government is negotiating FTAs with safeguard clauses, including 'melt and pour' rules, to prevent circumvention and protect local producers. Policy measures discussed include capacity-expansion roadmaps, incentives for domestic capital-goods and prefabrication adoption on commercial merits, potential shipbuilding support, and accelerated trade deals to expand exports. Reduced GST rates are expected to stimulate demand; targets and government support aim to strengthen competitiveness, raw-material access, and export growth.