UNU-MERIT is pleased to host a book presentation by Prof. Sunil Mani, Honorary Visiting Professor at the Centre for Development Studies and Ahmedabad University, and Professorial Fellow at the University of Athens.
The session will centre on his recent book, India’s High Tech Leap: Industrial Policy and the Future of Innovation (Edward Elgar, 2026). The book examines the role of public policy in shaping the growth of high-technology industries in emerging economies, using India as a central case.
Drawing on detailed empirical analysis across key sectors, Prof. Mani argues that a uniform approach to industrial policy is insufficient. Instead, sustained technological advancement requires carefully designed, sector-specific strategies, supported by broader enabling conditions. The discussion will explore how these insights can inform current debates on innovation policy, industrial development, and the role of the state in fostering technological capabilities.
The event will begin with an introductory discussion, followed by the book presentation and an opportunity for questions and exchange with participants.