Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on G20, PM Modi's Vision & Chandrayaan-3

In this video, Abhijit Chavda sits down with Mr. Rajiv Chandrashekhar. He is an Indian politician and entrepreneur.

Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on G20, PM Modi's Vision & Chandrayaan-3

TLDR: India, under PM Modi’s leadership, aims to become a leader in technology and semiconductors, prioritizing cybersecurity and data privacy, while also addressing challenges like misinformation and ensuring fairness, competition, and user safety in the evolving internet landscape.

00:00 🚀 India, under PM Modi’s leadership, has made significant progress in technology, showcasing its achievements in cyber security, electronics manufacturing, and semiconductor exports, and aims to be at the forefront of the future of technology, driven by the energy and capabilities of young Indians.

China’s1.1 India has made significant progress in cyber security, electronics manufacturing, and semiconductor exports, surpassing achievements in the last 20 years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi1.2 India, under ’s leadership, has transformed the narrative of dysfunctional governance by showcasing how technology can change lives, bring trust between government and citizens, and demonstrate growth and progress at a level that has caught the attention of the G20 countries.

1.3 India is offering its India stack architecture to the global South, allowing countries to benefit from technology that connects remote communities to government without the need for physical offices or intermediaries.

1.4 The main focus areas in 2021 were to continue deploying technology to improve citizens’ lives, increase innovation and the digital economy, and shift the narrative of youth from job seekers to job creators and contributors to economic activity and growth.

1.5 India’s Prime Minister’s vision of transforming India into a designer, architect, and owner of products and solutions is being realized through projects like Chandrayaan, showcasing the country’s deep capabilities and technologies in the space sector.

1.6 India aims to be at the forefront of the future of technology, including AI, semiconductors, and industrial automation, as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who envisions the next decade as the “India decade” driven by the energy and capabilities of young Indians.

12:34 🚀 India aims to become a leader in technology and semiconductors, with a focus on chip design, AI, and quantum computing, supported by government funding and programs.

2.1 Many people feel ashamed and embarrassed because the country has repeatedly missed opportunities due to the lack of vision and leadership from the government.

2.2 Prime Minister Modi has recognized the importance of technology and semiconductors, and with a $10 billion funding, India aims to achieve in the next decade what China couldn’t in the last 20 years.

2.3 30 design startups in Gujarat are working on chip design, including the development of the Vikram Lander chip and the navic chip, and there are an additional 20 to 25 Indian startups working on chip design for various applications, supported by the government’s Dil 5 program, with several devices expected to be released by 2024.

2.4 India is focused on becoming a leader in AI by creating complex and diverse data sets through the India AI program, which includes a global summit in October 2023, and is seeking government support for AI compute capacity.

2.5 The focus is on creating AI compute capacity for startups to use, with an emphasis on applications of AI in various sectors and the development of AI talent, while also acknowledging the importance of foundational models and data sets.

2.6 India is investing a significant amount of money in quantum computing and has a clear vision and partnerships in place, positioning it well in the global quantum race.

19:43 🔒 India is prioritizing cybersecurity and data privacy, revamping digital laws to address internet harms, but faces challenges in jurisdiction and collaboration between different jurisdictions to effectively address cyber crimes.

3.1 Cybersecurity and data privacy are important concerns for countries, and open democracies like ours prioritize safety, trust, and legislative frameworks to address cyber harm.

3.2 India is revamping its digital laws to address internet harms and security, but faces challenges in cyber security due to jurisdictional issues and difficulties in identifying, investigating, and prosecuting cyber crimes.

police forces3.3 Cyber crime is often not prioritized by due to limited resources and higher priority given to violent crimes, resulting in the need for collaboration and cooperation between different jurisdictions to address the issue effectively.

3.4 State governments need to build their capabilities to investigate and prosecute cyber crimes in order to prevent the perception that cyberspace is a lawless space.

3.5 There is a need for increased awareness and advocacy to state governments to improve their readiness and protection against cyber crime, rather than creating a separate police force for cyber.

24:30 💡 Foreign social media platforms like Twitter, Meta, and Google must follow Indian laws to protect citizens and small businesses, while Prime Minister Modi is implementing data protection and digital India acts to ensure fairness, competition, and user safety in the evolving internet landscape, addressing challenges like misinformation and its impact on elections.

4.1 Foreign social media platforms must abide by Indian laws and regulations, as demonstrated by recent actions against Twitter, Meta, and Google, to protect Indian citizens and small businesses.

4.2 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is implementing a digital personal data protection bill to address the misuse and exploitation of personal data, creating behavioral changes and symmetry between big platforms and Indian citizens, as well as introducing the digital India act.

4.3 A forthcoming consultation document will address principles of openness, fair competition, user safety, trust, accountability, and the recognition of the evolving nature of the internet and its various intermediaries.

4.4 There are various types of intermediaries on the internet that require different regulations, such as e-commerce platforms, social media platforms, and edutech platforms, with one of the challenges being the spread of misinformation and its potential impact on elections.

Indian governmen28:42 📱 The t is taking steps to combat misinformation and regulate online dating sites, apps, and gaming platforms to ensure the safety and trustworthiness of the internet in India.

5.1 Misinformation is no longer innocent but a deliberate and planned form of cyber attack, as seen with the recent case of kalistani elements spreading lies to incite violence against the Indian government, making it crucial for internet users to be able to trust the information they find online.

5.2 The internet should be safe and trusted in India, as misinformation can negatively impact those who are not digitally literate and rely on it for essential services like pensions, subsidies, education, and skilling.

5.3 The speaker discusses the framework created to outlaw misinformation and regulate online dating sites, apps, and online gaming in the digital India act.

5.4 Dating apps and online gaming platforms will have specific regulations to prevent illegal activities and protect users, with consultations from national commissions and the home ministry.

5.5 Permissible online gaming in India is defined as non-addictive, without gambling or harm, and is regulated by self-regulatory bodies consisting of various stakeholders in the gaming industry.

5.6 The government will not prescribe what is addictive or not addictive in terms of limiting access or content, as self-regulated bodies will continuously evolve the definition, and laws are designed to adapt to new challenges and changes in technology.

34:39 🌍 Indian talent abroad, including professionals from Tesla, are returning to India to contribute to the semiconductor industry, reflecting PM Modi’s vision of making India a hub for technology, with companies like Apple and Samsung now manufacturing in India and the potential for Tesla to set up a plant in the country.

6.1 Indian talent abroad, including cutting-edge technology professionals and leaders, are increasingly returning to India to start their own companies and contribute to the country’s semiconductor industry, as highlighted by the example of an AI architect from Tesla who set up two semiconductor design startups in Bangalore, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a hub for semiconductor technology.

6.2 Talented individuals from the diaspora, such as Professor Rao Tamala, are returning to India to create semiconductor research that is on par with the rest of the world.

6.3 India is becoming a competitive and exciting place for innovation, with a growing trend of people returning home and wanting to contribute to manufacturing, including companies like Tesla and Apple.

6.4 Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary policies have transformed the electronics industry in India, leading to the country now exporting Apple and Samsung phones and attracting global electronics brands like Cisco, Apple, and Samsung to set up manufacturing in India.

6.5 Tesla is an amazing company that could potentially set up a plant in India, as Elon Musk is exploring India as a potential base for Tesla after his meetings with the honorable prime minister in the US.

39:53 📻 India’s Prime Minister Modi envisions India becoming the third largest economy in the world with a digital economy, while also aiming to eliminate poverty and create equal opportunities for all its people, and podcasts are seen as an effective and engaging medium to convey conversations and messages.

7.1 India’s Prime Minister Modi envisions India becoming the third largest economy in the world, with a digital economy that is one of the largest, and aims to eliminate poverty, creating a future where every Indian has the same aspirations and opportunities.

7.2 India has the potential to become a leading nation in technology and innovation by 2030, with strong partnerships with the US, while also being an inclusive democracy that creates opportunities for all its people.

7.3 Every young Indian should feel they have a legitimate aspiration and a good shot at creating a career and future for themselves in this changing world, including in the podcasting space.

7.4 Podcasts are effective in conveying conversations and messages in a more informal and engaging manner, unlike traditional TV interviews that often involve shouting and screaming.

7.5 Podcasts are becoming a popular alternative to traditional news channels as they provide a more fulfilling and enlightening experience, allowing individuals to expand their thinking and awareness.

Key Insights

India’s Technological Advancements and Potential

💰 “What China has spent 200 billion dollars and could not do in the last 20 years.”

🚀 The successful completion of the Chandrayaan project showcases India’s deep capabilities and surpasses other actors in the space, proving India’s potential as a producer of cutting-edge technologies.

🌍 Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar believes that with the right capital and India’s existing innovation and ingenuity, they can achieve in the next 10 years what China has been unable to accomplish in the last 20 years in terms of technological advancements.

🌍 “There is not a single global electronics brand that will not be in India in the next one or two years, thanks to the successful implementation of the PLI scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

💰 Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar believes that by 2030, India has the potential to become one of the leading nations in technology and innovation, alongside China and the US.

Social and Economic Transformation in India

🐘 India’s transformation from dysfunctional governance to a responsible, responsive, and technology-driven government has caught the attention and admiration of the G20 countries.

🌍 The digital India program has transformed the narrative about youth in India from being job seekers to being active participants in creating economic activity, investments, and job opportunities, making it an unprecedented time for the youth to contribute to the country’s journey.

🌍 Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the rapid growth of the semiconductor industry in India, with people now questioning why they are not investing in India rather than asking why they should invest.

💡 “Talent flow is moving back in the reverse direction to India, especially diaspora, with many talented individuals returning to contribute to semiconductor research.”

🌍 Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has lifted 130 million Indians out of poverty in the last six years, envisioning an India where every youngster, regardless of their location, has the same aspirations and conversations about their future.

Global Partnerships and Positioning in Technology

🌍 India has signed partnerships with the US and other countries in the field of quantum computing, positioning itself as a key player in the global quantum ecosystem.

💻 “Cyber security is like terrorism. You have to be good every day, and the bad guys have to be good just one more time.”

🌐 The principles of openness, free and fair competition, user safety, trust, and accountability are crucial in shaping the future of the internet.

🌐 Misinformation is no longer innocent slip of the tongue, but a deliberate and planned form of offensive cyber attacks, inciting violence and causing harm to users.

Q&A

Q: How has India transformed its governance through technology?

A: India has successfully transformed its governance through the effective use of technology. The country has deployed various technological initiatives to build trust between the government and its citizens. One notable example is the India stack architecture, which offers a comprehensive set of digital infrastructure components that allows for secure and efficient exchange of information between different stakeholders. By leveraging this architecture, India has been able to bring services to even the remotest communities, connecting them to the capital and ensuring access to government services. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in India focuses on improving citizens’ lives through technology while also promoting innovation and the digital economy.

Q: What areas is India focusing on to become a major powerhouse in technology and the global economy?

A: India has set its sights on becoming a major powerhouse in various cutting-edge technology fields. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated a significant shift in the narrative of the Indian youth, encouraging them to become job creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs rather than just job seekers. The country is fostering investment, innovation, economic activity, and growth, allowing the youth to play a crucial role in India’s development. India aims to transition from being a consumer to a producer of cutting-edge technologies, by designing, developing, and manufacturing products, platforms, and solutions. The vision for the future of technology and the global economy in India is clear - to lead in fields such as space, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and more.

Q: How is India addressing the challenges of cybersecurity and quantum computing?

A: India recognizes the critical importance of addressing cybersecurity challenges and harnessing the potential of quantum computing. In terms of cybersecurity, India is investing significantly in building capabilities and has a clear roadmap for its development. However, the country faces unique challenges in this domain, particularly due to jurisdiction issues. Efforts are being made to sensitize state governments about the importance of investigating and prosecuting cyber crimes, and creating awareness among the public to enhance cybersecurity measures.

Regarding quantum computing, India is investing resources and efforts to establish itself as a significant player in this field. The country has a defined roadmap for the development of quantum computing technology. Additionally, India is actively participating in research and development activities related to quantum computing and aims to leverage this technology in various sectors such as healthcare, governance, and autonomous vehicles.

Q: How is India attracting talent and startups in cutting-edge technology fields?

A: India has been successful in attracting talented professionals and startups from around the world, including leaders in cutting-edge technology fields. The Indian government’s policies, such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI), have transformed the electronics industry in India, making it an attractive destination for global electronics brands like Apple and Samsung. Furthermore, Indian talents abroad are increasingly returning home to India, bringing with them their expertise and experience. For instance, there are examples of AI architects from companies like Tesla setting up semiconductor startups in cities like Bangalore. India is seen as a competitive and exciting place for innovation, with talent like Professor Rao Tamala leading research efforts in semiconductor technology. These factors contribute to India’s growing reputation as a hub for technology and innovation.

Note - This content is generated by AI, we believe it is accurate, but we don’t claim any liability of inaccuracies in the AI generated content.

Watch the entire conversation.