India Must Lead in Emerging Technologies, Says Jitendra Singh at PAN-IIT Meet
New Delhi, Apr 26 (TNT): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences,Dr. Jitendra Singh, on Sunday called for India to emerge as a ‘global leader in critical and emerging technologies’, asserting that technological capability will define national strength in the coming decades.
Addressing the PAN-IIT Alumni Conference in Los Angeles virtually, Jitendra said India must move beyond being a consumer of technology to becoming a creator, designer and global driver of innovation.
He said the country stands at a crucial juncture in its development journey under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, with science, technology and innovation forming the backbone of future growth.
He cited progress in the space sector, biotechnology and the rise of deep-tech startups as key indicators of India’s growing capabilities.
Highlighting the role of the Indian diaspora, particularly IIT alumni, the Union Minister said they serve as critical links between India and global innovation ecosystems, contributing through investments, mentorship, research collaborations and policy engagement.
He noted that alumni of the Indian Institutes of Technology have played a major role in global technology leadership and emphasised the need to identify the next frontiers of growth.
Jitendra pointed to sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics and quantum technologies** as crucial for national security, economic resilience and global competitiveness.
He stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between academia, industry and government.
Referring to initiatives like the Sajjan Agarwal School of Technology at Rishihood University, he said such efforts reflect the diaspora’s commitment to building institutions in India and strengthening the country’s technological base.
The Union Minister invited IIT alumni to actively contribute through mentoring, investing in research and collaborating with Indian institutions, expressing confidence that India will achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 while contributing significantly to global progress.
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