A hypothetical scenario where the U.S., under a potential Trump administration, bans India from accessing major tech platforms like Google and ChatGPT has ignited a debate about India's tech resilience and digital sovereignty. The discussion was spurred by a post from industrialist Harsh Goenka on X, who asked Indians to consider the consequences if platforms such as Google, Instagram, X, Facebook, and ChatGPT were suddenly cut off.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu responded to Goenka's post by advocating for a "National Mission for Tech Resilience". Vembu emphasized India's increasing reliance on U.S. technology for everything from apps and operating systems to chip manufacturing. He warned that a sudden revocation of access to these technologies could cripple India's digital infrastructure and suggested a 10-year plan to build domestic alternatives.
Goenka's original post aimed to highlight the potential vulnerabilities of India's digital ecosystem. He urged serious consideration of the consequences and the development of a "Plan B". A tech analyst with over 15 years of experience in U.S.-India digital trade warned of "catastrophic economic fallout" should such a ban occur.
NASSCOM estimates for 2025 suggest that a sudden cutoff could devastate India's $200 billion digital economy, disrupt over 500 million users, and wipe out up to 60% of advertising revenue. The analyst proposed accelerating a Plan B that includes Indian-made alternatives, such as Zoho and Nextcloud for cloud services, Arattai for messaging, and open-source AI models like Bhashini.
Vembu has been a vocal proponent of strengthening India's technological capabilities and reducing dependence on foreign platforms. He has previously criticized what he sees as a "defeatist attitude" blocking India's tech rise in comparison to China. He has also shared his views on why Large Language Models (LLMs) aren't truly creative. His call for a National Mission for Tech Resilience reflects a broader concern about digital sovereignty and the need for India to develop its own robust technological infrastructure.
The debate underscores the importance of strategic planning and investment in indigenous technologies to safeguard India's digital economy against potential geopolitical risks. While the possibility of a ban remains hypothetical, the discussion has served as a catalyst for re-evaluating India's tech dependencies and exploring pathways towards greater self-reliance.
