‘Digital Swaraj Mission’: GTRI flags risks of US tech dependence; calls for India’s cloud and OS self-reliance by 2030

India must urgently develop its own sovereign cloud technology, homegrown operating systems (OS), cybersecurity, and AI capabilities to reduce its over-reliance on US systems, the India-based Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) has argued, warning that current dependence poses major economic and security risks.In a report, GTRI highlighted that Indian phones, computers, defence, and government applications largely run on US platforms. "A US-ordered cutoff could instantly paralyse digital payments, tax filings, and government services nationwide," the think tank said, as per news agency ANI. Over 500 million Indian smartphones currently operate on Google’s Android, leaving the country vulnerable to sudden disruptions.To address this, GTRI has proposed a phased “Digital Swaraj Mission” to make India self-reliant in OS, cloud, cybersecurity, and data-driven AI by 2030. In the short term (1-2 years), the plan calls for mandatory sovereign cloud hosting for critical data, a national OS programme, and Linux pilots in key ministries. Over the medium term (3-5 years), government systems should fully migrate to Indian software, and public-private cybersecurity consortia should be operational.

In the long term (5-7 years), India must achieve cloud parity, replace foreign OS in defence and critical sectors, and create globally competitive open-network platforms.The report also noted strategic risks beyond infrastructure. With social media platforms and algorithms controlled by US companies, India’s democracy remains exposed to disinformation campaigns. GTRI stressed that India’s massive data pool should be treated as a strategic asset, akin to oil or rare earth minerals, for trade and technology negotiations.

Measures suggested include local data storage mandates, digital transaction taxes and building a domestic AI ecosystem.Comparing India with China and Europe, the think tank warned that without action, India risks falling behind in digital sovereignty. Europe is building sovereign cloud solutions and enforcing the Digital Markets Act, while China has replaced foreign code in government, defence, and industrial systems.GTRI concluded, “Just as UPI and ONDC changed the world of payments and commerce, we can do the same for core digital infrastructure. In an era of tariffs, sanctions, and technology wars, sovereignty will be measured not just by territory or GDP but by ‘who controls the code’”.India and the US have been negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) since March 2025. While an interim deal is being discussed, India has reservations over US demands for opening agricultural and dairy sectors, even as Washington has imposed reciprocal tariffs, including a 50 per cent levy on Indian goods.