India has moved from technology follower to technology leader under PM Modi: Dr Jitendra Singh
New Delhi, May 31
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that India has transformed from being a technology follower to a technology leader over the last 12 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, laying a strong scientific and technological foundation for the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Speaking during a podcast, Dr Singh said India is now increasingly participating in the development of frontier technologies at the global level and, in several sectors, is helping shape the future direction of innovation itself.
"The last twelve years have witnessed India's transition from a technology follower to a technology leader. The scientific capabilities, innovation ecosystem and technological infrastructure created during this period have laid the foundation for Viksit Bharat @2047," the minister said.
He said that for decades India largely adopted technologies developed elsewhere and often entered emerging technological domains years after developed nations.
However, according to him, the country is now establishing itself as a major global innovation hub.
"For decades, India largely adopted technologies developed elsewhere, often entering new technological domains years after leading nations. Today, India is increasingly participating in the development of frontier technologies at the global level and, in several sectors, is helping shape the future direction of innovation itself," he noted.
Dr Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing science and technology to the centre of national policymaking and encouraging private sector participation, innovation-led entrepreneurship and citizen-centric scientific advancement.
He said this policy approach has enabled India to build a strong technology ecosystem that simultaneously supports economic growth, strategic capability and public service delivery.
Highlighting India's progress in frontier technologies, the minister said the country has registered major advancements in sectors such as space, nuclear energy, quantum technology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and clean energy.
"This approach has enabled India to build a technology ecosystem that supports economic growth, strategic capability and public service delivery simultaneously," the minister mentioned.
On the space sector, Dr Singh said India has developed one of the world's most dynamic space ecosystems after opening the sector to private participation.
He noted that the number of space startups has increased from single digits to over 400, while India's space economy, currently valued at nearly USD 9 billion, is expected to expand significantly in the coming years.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who works in tech in the US, I've seen Indian engineers and scientists driving innovation globally for years. It's good to see the Indian government finally creating an ecosystem that supports this talent at home. The startup culture and investment in quantum tech and AI are impressive.
I appreciate the progress, but let's not forget that we still have a long way to go in basic research. The number of patents filed is increasing, but quality matters too. Also, we need to focus on making technology accessible to rural India - 5G and AI won't help if villages don't have reliable electricity. Hope the next 12 years focus on inclusive growth.
I work with Indian tech companies and the change is remarkable. Indian firms are now leading in digital payments (UPI is a global case study), biotech and space tech. The shift from "jugaad" innovation to structured R&D is visible. But I hope we also focus on environmental tech and sustainable solutions.
Great to hear! As a student in STEM, I can see the difference in how research is being funded and encouraged now. The startup ecosystem for science and tech is booming. My friends have started companies in AI and clean energy - something unthinkable a decade ago. But I wish we also invested more in school-level science education.
The shift from "technology follower" to "technology leader" is real. Look at India's role in global quantum computing collaborations, our own semiconductor mission, and the growth of biotech startups. But we must ensure this progress reaches everyone - not just urban India. The real
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