Amitabh Kant, Former NITI Aayog CEO, Says India Must Focus on Advanced Tech Like AI and Avoid Dependence Other Countries at Startup Mahakumbh 2025
Amitabh Kant emphasized the importance of India focusing on developing advanced technologies such as AI. He stressed the need to reduce dependence on other countries for technological advancements. Kant's remarks were made during the Startup Mahakumbh 2025 event. The call for India to prioritize building its expertise in cutting-edge technologies like AI highlights the country's potential for innovation and growth. Kant's statements underscore the strategic significance of self-reliance in technological development for India's future.
New Delhi, April 4: India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said on Friday that the country must focus on building its own advanced technologies like AI and avoid becoming dependent on other countries for technological progress. Kant said that India should maintain its technological independence and create frontier technologies that reflect the country’s unique culture and identity. He stressed that India must not become a "technological colony" of the West or any other country. Instead, it should focus on innovation that is quick, energy-efficient, and cost-effective.
Startup Mahakumbh Event
“It is very important that for India to maintain its sovereignty in technological advancement and lead from the far front, we must not become a technological colony of either the West or any other country in the world. We must continue to innovate in a nimble, less energy-consuming, and cost-effective manner,” Kant said while speaking at the second edition of the 'Startup Mahakumbh' event here.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also urged Indian startups to invest in deep tech, robotics, and next-generation industries. Kant emphasized the need for India to use its large data sets to create advanced technologies and go beyond just applying artificial intelligence (AI) by building complete AI systems free from biases found in Western models.
Importance of Innovation
“We must build sovereign frontier models based on our own data sets that do not carry inherent biases of the West. We must build an end-to-end AI ecosystem, and not just the application layer,” the G20 Sherpa stated. He encouraged Indian startups to explore emerging sectors like AI, machine learning, blockchain, big data, cybersecurity, space tech, and semiconductors for driving future innovation.
Aadit Palicha, Zepto Co-Founder and CEO, responded to Minister Piyush Goyal’s India vs China Startup Comparison, stating that the country needs to focus on building consumer internet companies. He emphasized that areas such as deep tech will be crucial for India to become a leader in technological advancements.
“The future lies in India becoming a champion of deep tech,” Kant added. The number of recognized startups in India has grown significantly over the years, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that define the country's growth story.
“When we launched the StartupIndia Initiative in 2016, we aimed to build an ecosystem that fosters innovation, provides financial support, and nurtures young businesses. In just nine years, we have witnessed an explosion in startup activity," Kant highlighted. He concluded by urging the continuation of this momentum to ensure that innovation remains at the heart of India’s growth story.