Self-reliance as a planning objective was considered essential for a developing country like India for several important reasons.

First, India had recently achieved independence from foreign domination. It was natural for people who had just been freed from colonial rule to give high importance to self-reliance as a matter of national pride and dignity.

Second, self-reliance was necessary to reduce dependence on foreign countries, especially for essential items like food. India wanted to avoid importing goods that could be produced domestically. This policy aimed at ensuring that India could meet its own needs without relying on external sources.

Third, there was a genuine fear that dependence on imported food supplies, foreign technology and foreign capital could make India's sovereignty vulnerable to foreign interference in our policies. As a newly independent nation, India wanted to protect its decision-making autonomy from external pressures.

Fourth, the first seven five year plans gave importance to self-reliance. This objective was one of the common goals of five year plans along with growth, modernisation and equity. The Green Revolution helped India become self-sufficient in food grains production, demonstrating the success of this objective.

Thus, self-reliance was crucial for protecting India's sovereignty and ensuring independent economic development.