TLDR: S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), stated that Artificial Intelligence is a crucial, cross-cutting technology that will propel India towards its goal of becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047. Speaking at ESTIC 2025, he emphasized responsible AI adoption for innovation, inclusion, and global competitiveness, outlining the IndiaAI Mission’s seven-pillar strategy.
New Delhi – S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), underscored the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), declaring it a ‘horizontal and cross-cutting technology’ essential for India’s journey towards achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047. His remarks came during a high-level panel discussion on AI at the Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025), held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from November 3-5.
Krishnan emphasized that AI is not an isolated technological advancement but a pervasive force capable of impacting every sector of the economy. He highlighted the critical need for India to harness AI responsibly to drive innovation, foster inclusion, and enhance global competitiveness. ‘For India, this is truly an opportunity to leverage a horizontal, cross-cutting technology like AI to ensure the country is firmly on the path to becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047,’ he stated.
The discussion, which included prominent figures from government, academia, and industry, delved into India’s evolving AI ecosystem. Key areas of focus included expanding digital infrastructure, developing indigenous large language models, advancing ethical AI governance, and cultivating global partnerships. Experts stressed the importance of aligning technological progress with the nation’s developmental priorities and social inclusion goals.
Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at MeitY and CEO of the IndiaAI Mission, further elaborated on the government’s integrated approach. He detailed the IndiaAI Mission’s seven-pillar strategy, which encompasses affordable computing infrastructure, high-quality datasets, indigenous large-language models, robust startup enablement, and comprehensive frameworks for safe and trustworthy AI. Singh affirmed that these initiatives are designed to bridge existing gaps and position India as a global leader in AI development and deployment. ‘Through the Mission’s seven-pillar strategy, we are creating an ecosystem that enables India to catch up with the best in the world. The goal is to build AI applications that not only serve India’s needs but also set global benchmarks for innovation, ethics, and trust,’ he added.
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In a related development, the India AI Governance Guidelines were unveiled under the IndiaAI Mission, providing a framework to ensure the safe, inclusive, and responsible adoption of AI across various sectors. MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan noted that this framework prioritizes human-centricity and leverages existing legislation where possible, guided by the core ethos of ‘Do No Harm.’ This launch marks a significant milestone ahead of the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February, where India is expected to showcase its advancements in digital infrastructure, indigenous AI models, and governance frameworks promoting responsible innovation.
