Delhi, Oct. 29 -- Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking at the TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025 conference on Wednesday, revisited the controversy surrounding his earlier comments on Indian start-ups.

Addressing the event themed "India's Deeptech Moment: From Digital Leadership to Technological Sovereignty," Goyal clarified that his remarks at the Startup Mahakumbh in April were aimed at encouraging innovation in deep technology sectors, not disparaging entrepreneurs.

His comments had sparked backlash from several industry figures, who termed them "unfair" and "dismissive" of India's start-up accomplishments.

The minister reiterated that his remarks were never meant to undermine India's start-up ecosystem, but rather to urge...