Zoho founder and Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu has recently addressed his political ambitions, clarifying his focus lies primarily on making India a technologically advanced and self-reliant nation. In a statement posted on X, Vembu emphasized that his "single point agenda in life is to make Bharat a technologically strong and self-reliant nation," viewing this as crucial for India's economic prosperity, rural resurgence, and civilizational revival.

Vembu believes technological self-sufficiency is key to restoring national pride and distributing wealth across society by developing technology with rural talent. He underscored the importance of India showcasing a model that combines prosperity with humility and contentment, harmonizing humanity and the natural world.

While Vembu acknowledges the importance of civic participation and views politics as a form of public service, he has explicitly stated that he will not be involved in active electoral politics. He believes his skills are best utilized in research and development to contribute to the nation's technological advancement. "We need people to do deep work in R&D. I have some skill in this area, and that is the best use of my life for our nation," he stated.

Vembu's emphasis on technological independence aligns with his broader vision of empowering rural talent and ensuring progress reaches villages and smaller towns. He has previously spoken about the "defeatist, colonial mindset" resulting from India's past, arguing that technological excellence is essential to rebuilding national confidence.

His recent statements have been met with positive reactions, with many praising his focus on competence and nation-building through technology. Observers have lauded his commitment to "deep tech + rural empowerment" as a path to lasting national pride and self-reliance. Some have noted that Vembu's approach of growing and investing through engineering with a long-term focus sets him apart.

Vembu's career reflects his commitment to these principles. He stepped down as Zoho's CEO in January 2025 to dedicate himself to research and development as the company's Chief Scientist. Zoho, under Vembu's leadership, has become a global success story, with the majority of its revenue coming from global markets. Vembu has also addressed the issue of political affiliations, clarifying that Zoho's success is based on product excellence and not political ties. He also believes that numerous billion-dollar companies can emerge from rural India.

Sridhar Vembu's focus remains on leveraging technology to drive India's growth and empower its rural communities, rather than pursuing a career in electoral politics.