Sourcing a product from China, stamping its own brand name, and then selling it as an indigenous solution. The larger concern is not about business deals between Meril and SAGEBOT- it’s about credibility and transparency.
At a time when the Government of India is championing the Make in India vision under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Meril’s rebranded Chinese robot is nothing short of a betrayal of that mission. Instead of nurturing homegrown research and development, the company seems to be pushing a Chinese surgical robot in Make in India clothing.
What’s more ironic is the positioning. Rather than being upfront and claiming the machine as “tried and tested technology with a proven track record in China”, Meril appears to be misleading the market with a false narrative of innovation. In reality, there is no “new” robot from Meril. What exists is a smart business deal beneficial to both Meril and SAGEBOT- but damaging to the spirit of Indian innovation.
If transfer pricing is the only differentiator, then calling it innovation is not only unfair but also deceptive. The medical technology industry in India deserves authentic breakthroughs, not re-badged imports packaged as national pride.
