<h1>Union minister urges linking education and research to boost exports, cut imports, and drive national development</h1> A Union minister stated that reducing imports and boosting exports constitutes a principal form of nationalism and urged linking education and research to national development. He asserted that knowledge and research-particularly in defence, agriculture, information technology and material sciences-drive global progress, noting a shift from conventional warfare to technology like drones and missiles. Citing the prime minister's goal of a five trillion-dollar economy and becoming the world's third largest, he argued that relevant education and innovation will reduce import dependence and enable India to leverage its cultural and historical knowledge internationally for societal and national benefit.