India Must Lead in Critical Technologies to Secure Sovereignty, Drive Global Rise: Jitendra Singh
Union minister of state for science and technology Jitendra Singh addresses the PAN-IIT Alumni Conference in Los Angeles virtually on Sunday, calling for India to transition from a technology consumer to a global innovator.
Calls for shift from technology consumer to global innovator; highlights role of diaspora, IIT alumni
New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday called for India to emerge as a global leader in critical and emerging technologies, asserting that technological capability will define national strength and strategic autonomy in the coming decades.
Addressing the PAN-IIT Alumni Conference in Los Angeles virtually, Singh said India must transition from being a consumer of technology to becoming a creator, designer and global driver of innovation.
Speaking to a global gathering of IIT alumni, including technology leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers and investors, the minister said India stands at a defining moment in its development journey, with science, technology and innovation forming the foundation of its growth trajectory.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, Singh highlighted the country’s expanding space programme, advances in biotechnology and the rapid rise of deep-tech startups as indicators of India’s growing technological capabilities.
He emphasised the critical role of the Indian diaspora, particularly IIT alumni, describing them as key connectors between India and global innovation ecosystems. Their contributions through investments, mentorship, institutional partnerships and policy engagement continue to strengthen India’s development pathway, he noted.
Highlighting future priorities, Singh identified semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics and quantum technologies as strategic domains crucial for national security, economic resilience and global competitiveness.
He underscored the need for deeper collaboration between academia, industry and government, along with new models of education and institution-building to support India’s ambitions in advanced technologies.
Citing the Sajjan Agarwal School of Technology at Rishihood University as an example, Singh said initiatives driven by the global Indian community reflect a growing commitment to strengthening India’s technology ecosystem through industry-linked education and innovation.
The minister also acknowledged the role of the Indian Institutes of Technology in shaping India’s technology leadership, with alumni contributing significantly to global corporations, research and policymaking.
Calling for stronger partnerships, Singh urged IIT alumni to actively engage in mentoring, investing in deep-tech research and collaborating with Indian institutions to accelerate innovation.
He expressed confidence that sustained efforts and a long-term vision will enable India not only to achieve developed nation status by 2047 but also to play a leading role in global technological advancement.
