Context

On August 15, 2025, India marked its 79th Independence Day, commemorating its historic struggle for political freedom. However, in an increasingly digitised and globally connected era, independence can no longer be confined to political autonomy alone. It must now include technological sovereignty—the ability to independently control and trust the digital systems that influence every dimension of national life. Without this, India risks replacing colonial subjugation with digital dependence on foreign powers.

The New Frontline in Global Geopolitics

·       The nature of global conflict has undergone a profound transformation. Modern warfare is no longer dominated by conventional weapons but by advanced technologies—software, drones, cyberweapons, and surveillance tools. The most insidious and invisible battleground is cyberspace, where critical infrastructures such as banks, transportation systems, and power grids rely heavily on digital platforms and networks.

·       This reliance brings with it a sobering reality: the majority of these vital systems are developed and controlled by a small group of powerful foreign corporations, often concentrated in a single geopolitical region. This technological dependence constitutes a serious national vulnerability. Should these companies, under pressure from their governments or driven by hostile intent, revoke access to cloud platforms or artificial intelligence tools, the impact on India’s economy, governance, and security could be devastating.

·       These are not abstract fears. Recent incidents, where cloud services were disrupted for companies, have shown the real and immediate dangers of excessive reliance on external technology providers.

Charting a Path to Technological Sovereignty

Building Software Autonomy

·       To overcome this vulnerability, India must pursue technological autonomy. At present, the country lacks indigenous operating systems, databases, or critical foundational software that it can fully trust. This dependency exposes India to external risks. Nevertheless, the journey toward software sovereignty is both achievable and necessary.

·       Open-source software presents a viable and powerful foundation for building secure, transparent, and reliable digital infrastructure. By developing customised, India-specific versions of Linux and Android, the nation can avoid the risks posed by proprietary software riddled with opaque vulnerabilities. However, creating such systems is only the beginning—the real challenge lies in long-term maintenance, security updates, and continuous innovation.

·       For open-source ecosystems to flourish, they require a broad base of users and a vibrant community of dedicated developers and professionals. This is not a responsibility that a single government body or company can shoulder alone. It must become a national mission—one that unites India''s vast talent pool of IT professionals in a shared vision of digital independence.

The Greater Challenge of Hardware Sovereignty

·       If achieving software independence is challenging, attaining hardware sovereignty is an even steeper climb. Semiconductor manufacturing demands vast capital investment, intricate technical knowledge, and unwavering long-term commitment. Few nations possess full control over their semiconductor production pipelines.

·       India must therefore approach this sector with strategic realism. In the short term, outsourcing chip fabrication to global partners may be practical. Yet this must be coupled with a long-term strategy focused on building domestic capabilities in chip design, packaging, testing, and supply chain resilience. Step by step, India must aim to reduce its dependence on foreign manufacturers while developing the foundational expertise and infrastructure necessary to eventually become self-sufficient.

·       Just as India achieved political independence through peaceful resistance, it can strive for technological independence through cooperation, collaboration, and the open-source ethos—not by isolating itself, but by building resilience and autonomy in critical areas.

A Technological Movement Rooted in Society and Economy

·       In the past, the open-source movement represented a powerful social and political force. Today, although widely used software like Android, Linux, and Hadoop remain open-source at their core, the infrastructure powering them—cloud services and data centers—is often centralised and foreign-controlled.

·       India needs a revival of that grassroots spirit. This should not be limited to technocrats or government policy, but must evolve into a nationwide movement that engages ordinary citizens and technology professionals alike. A social awakening is needed—one that recognizes that technological dependence is no longer just a government concern, but a shared risk for businesses, individuals, and civil society.

·       Already, many people and organisations contribute to open-source projects, whether through funding or development. Redirecting those efforts toward secure, homegrown software can be a small yet significant step toward autonomy. Such initiatives can create the trust and user base necessary for sustainable domestic technology platforms.

The Roadmap: From Vision to Implementation

·       To realise this vision, India must launch a mission-driven program focused not on abstract research but on practical, outcome-oriented implementation. This mission should bring together engineering excellence, strategic project management, and a long-term commitment to building and maintaining critical software infrastructure.

·       Priority must be given to client-side and server-side applications that form the foundation of everyday digital life—such as databases, email clients, web servers, and cloud platforms. However, this program should not rely perpetually on government subsidies. Instead, it must be structured to become self-sustaining, supported by viable business models that ensure independence from both state and corporate dominance.

·       The role of the government should be that of a catalyst: establishing the initial institutional framework, facilitating collaboration, and ensuring the mission’s direction aligns with national interest, while ultimately enabling it to stand independently.

Conclusion

·       India finds itself at a defining crossroads. The dangers of dependence on foreign digital infrastructure are increasingly evident. At the same time, the tools and talent required to build a sovereign technological future are readily available within the country.

·       What is now needed is collective resolve. Technological independence is not a luxury—it is a necessity for securing India’s national interests, ensuring economic resilience, and safeguarding democratic freedoms. The journey will be long and arduous, but history has shown that India does not shy away from hard-earned freedom. Just as the nation once fought for its political independence, it must now commit to the long and essential march toward technological sovereignty.