Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, stressed the significance of safeguarding India’s vast data resources to maintain global competitiveness. However, he expressed disappointment in the Union Budget’s lack of substantial measures for this purpose. During his address in the Lower House, Gandhi identified Artificial Intelligence (AI), food, and energy as crucial pillars of a strong nation, criticizing the government for not adequately addressing these aspects in the budget.
Gandhi highlighted the pivotal role of data as the fuel for AI, emphasizing that India’s 1.4 billion people represent its greatest asset. He underscored the need for India to protect its energy security interests to uphold its global position, criticizing the government for neglecting this aspect, particularly in trade negotiations with the US.
The Leader of Opposition criticized the government for the silence on energy and finance in the budget, noting the global trend of weaponizing these sectors. He suggested that had the INDIA bloc led the trade negotiations, it would have prioritized India’s interests and ensured a level playing field without compromising the nation’s sovereignty.
Gandhi asserted that safeguarding data integrity and prioritizing human potential are crucial for India’s progress and global influence. He emphasized the importance of negotiating from a position of strength, leveraging India’s demographic dividend as a strategic asset in the 21st century.
