India is poised to take a leadership role in artificial intelligence (AI) services, replicating the success it achieved in the global IT services industry, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
Minister Vaishnaw revealed that the government is planning to develop a foundational AI model but emphasized that the nation’s primary focus will be on building sector-specific solutions.
‘What will bring value is how the models are used for solving problems of enterprises, governments, and individuals. That is where the real value lies,’ Vaishnaw stated, highlighting India’s approach to harnessing AI’s potential in solving real-world challenges.
The minister underscored India’s ambition to lead the global AI services landscape, calling it a “big game changer.” Responding to a query about the geopolitical significance of investing in foundational AI models, he confirmed plans to build one, while stressing the importance of focusing on solution-based applications.
‘We are working on getting the GPU design with IP rights owned by India within the next three to five years, along with our foundational model. However, the major focus will remain on the solution space,’ he reiterated.
Vaishnaw outlined the layers of AI development India is pursuing, which include AI chips, models, applications, and agents, all of which aim to position the country as a leader in AI-driven solutions.
To support this vision, the government plans to invest heavily in talent development, enabling access to cutting-edge technologies for students and researchers. ‘Two hundred universities will be provided the latest compute power and access to the world’s best AI models to develop focused solutions. These solutions can then be deployed in India and offered globally as services,’ Vaishnaw said.
The remarks come amid ongoing global debates on whether countries should invest in foundational AI models or focus on applications built on existing platforms. At WEF 2025, renowned AI experts Andrew Ng and Yoshua Bengio shared contrasting views. While Ng advocated for India to concentrate on developing AI applications, Bengio highlighted the geopolitical edge foundational models provide.
India’s balanced strategy of developing foundational models while prioritizing application-driven solutions is set to bolster its position in the AI ecosystem. With its plans to nurture homegrown talent and build robust AI infrastructure, the country aims to cement its reputation as a global hub for AI innovation and services.
