Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw declared India a rising technology powerhouse on Saturday at the NDTV World Summit 2025 held in New Delhi. He highlighted India’s remarkable digital transformation marked by rapid expansion in 5G, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing. Speaking to an eager audience, Vaishnaw emphasised India’s strategic focus on data sovereignty alongside key milestones that firmly place India among the world’s leading countries in technology innovation.

One of the headline achievements announced was India’s telecom success with 5G network coverage spanning approximately 90 percent of the country. India now proudly operates the world’s second-largest 5G network, a feat achieved by deploying 5G infrastructure at a breathtaking pace. This extensive network has played a crucial role in connecting remote and far-flung areas, shrinking the digital divide and empowering millions nationwide. Vaishnaw noted, “India rolled out 5G at a pace that amazed the world. This has helped us reach even the remotest corners of the nation.” This infrastructure accomplishment has positioned India among the fastest in global telecommunications rollout.

India’s Indigeno

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us AI and Data Sovereignty Vision

The minister also shared exciting news on the artificial intelligence front. Bengaluru-based startup Sarvam is set to launch India’s first homegrown AI model by December 2025 or January 2026. Commending Sarvam’s innovation, Vaishnaw declared his personal commitment to start using their model, reflecting government confidence in Indian-developed AI technology. Sarvam AI focuses on harnessing local language data to make AI interactions more accessible across India’s diverse linguistic landscape, extending AI’s benefits beyond urban centres.

Vaishnaw described data as “the new oil” and data centres as “the new refineries,” underscoring the critical importance of data sovereignty. He stressed that all data generated within India’s borders should remain there, so the country’s talent has opportunities locally and does not seek opportunities abroad. This vision aligns closely with India’s broader goal of technological self-reliance and innovation leadership.

Breakthroughs in Semiconductor Design and Global Investments

Presenting a palm-sized semiconductor wafer at the summit, Vaishnaw announced India’s progress in designing advanced 2-nanometre chips, significantly smaller and more complex than earlier 5nm and 7nm chips. These chips will power next-generation AI servers, drones, and smartphones, marking a giant leap in the semiconductor field. India currently hosts about 20 percent of the world’s chip design engineering talent. The India Semiconductor Mission supports this momentum with Rs 1.6 lakh crore worth of manufacturing projects approved across multiple states.

Adding to the momentum, Google has announced a $15 billion investment to establish a major AI research hub in Visakhapatnam, slated for completion between 2026 and 2030. This will be Google’s largest AI investment outside the United States, bolstering India’s position on the global technology map.

Vaishnaw also confirmed that the government will soon introduce regulations to combat the misuse of deepfake technology. He explained India’s dual approach combining technical solutions and legal frameworks, emphasising innovation alongside societal safety.

Looking ahead, the minister painted a bold picture of 6G telecom technology as “a network that thinks on itself,” fundamentally different from previous networks where “everything in your hand will be part of that network.” India is already making significant progress in 6G research, holding around 60 patents in this domain.

Finally, Vaishnaw highlighted India’s growing influence in digital infrastructure worldwide, noting that over 50 countries have shown interest in India’s Aadhaar architecture and more than 13 nations have adopted India’s UPI payment system.

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