India has to rise to the challenge

The enhanced H-1B visa structure has repercussions alright. However, if the same talent that goes to the US and sets up innovative firms, stays at home instead, it will surely help our country.

- Dhurjati Mukherjee

Importantly, the country needs an ecosystem that supports innovation, public infrastructure that can keep professionals in India.

India has begun to move. The government's India Semiconductor Mission has pledged billions in incentives to evolve an Indian ecosystem. Micron is setting up a memory facility in Gujarat while the Tatas has entered fabrication with serious intent. Global majors are investing and domestic startups are experimenting with chip design and AI hardware.

Undeniably, India already wields formidable soft power. The next step is to convert that soft power into smart power and technological innovation. Its vision has rightly been to align IT talent, Global Capabili ty Centres (GCCs) strength and semiconductor initiatives into one coherent strategy. It would cut across silos, blend capital with Research & Development and make India a producer, not just a buyer. Meanwhile, GCCs are presently handling core research in Artificial Intelligence, digitization, R&D and semiconductors.