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New Delhi, Oct 30 (KNN) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal underscored the need for India to reduce reliance on foreign technologies and strengthen Make in India-driven innovation to achieve long-term technological sovereignty. Addressing the TiEcon Delhi-NCR conference on the theme ‘India’s Deeptech Moment: From Digital Leadership to Technological Sovereignty’, Goyal said that the spirit of Swadeshi represents resilience and self-reliance amid global uncertainties. He announced the launch of the second edition of the Startup Fund of Funds to support early-stage deeptech ventures and the Rs 1 lakh crore Anusandhan Fund to finance research and transformative innovation. He highlighted India’s evolution from being the world’s software provider to a global innovation hub and stressed the importance of resilient supply chains and domestic control over critical technologies, lessons reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister lauded TiE’s role in supporting young deeptech entrepreneurs, describing the event as a milestone in India’s transition toward a deep technology-driven economy. Recalling India’s digital transformation since 2014, he noted that internet users have grown from 250 million to over one billion, powering inclusive initiatives such as Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar, DBT, and PM-Kisan. He said India’s digital progress has driven its economic ascent to the world’s fourth-largest economy, with a goal of reaching third place within two years and achieving a USD 30–32 trillion economy by 2047. Outlining the government’s vision for a vibrant deeptech ecosystem, the Minister identified focus areas including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, defence and space technologies, and intellectual property development. Citing India’s vast talent pool of 15 lakh engineers and 24 lakh STEM graduates annually, Goyal urged entrepreneurs to think globally and pursue bold, transformative ideas. He called for stronger collaboration among startups, investors, and institutions like TiE and IIT alumni to build a robust deeptech ecosystem. (KNN Bureau)
