Ashwini Vaishnaw Calls for Higher R&D Spending

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has called for increased investment in research and development (R&D), emphasising the need to focus on application-oriented research and strengthen India's technological capabilities.

Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, Vaishnaw said India must not only increase R&D spending but also transform the way research is conducted, directing resources towards areas with practical applications and significant potential for national development.

Highlighting India's achievement in telecom technology, the minister said the country successfully developed an end-to-end 4G telecom stack from scratch in just three and a half years through a partnership between the government and the private sector.

According to Vaishnaw, the indigenous telecom stack has been deployed across more than 100,000 towers and is performing well. He described the achievement as a major milestone that has established India as a new player in a market previously dominated by five major global providers.

The minister also highlighted the potential to upgrade the indigenous 4G technology to 5G, strengthening India's position in the global telecommunications ecosystem.
Vaishnaw stressed that India is carefully allocating its limited capital to areas where investment can deliver the best results. He said the country's approach to research and innovation must prioritise practical outcomes, technological self-reliance and cost-effective solutions.

His remarks underline the government's emphasis on public-private partnerships, indigenous technology development and strategic R&D investment to enhance India's global competitiveness.