View: How India can accelerate science research and technology innovation

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill that aims to create a financially viable research ecosystem was tabled in Parliament last Friday. The proposal to create an NRF comes at a time when the world is witnessing rapid innovation in the development of AI-based systems, models and applications. Recent developments in superconducting under ambient conditions, too, throw open the possibility for further acceleration in areas such as quantum computing.

Science research and technology innovation also serve as powerful levers of geopolitical strategy, akin to the decisive advantage bestowed by the space race and nuclear weaponry during the Cold War era. Consider the escalating competition in the realm of 5G technology, where nations have vied for the upper hand in shaping global standards and capturing markets with firstmover advantage. Scientific advancements and technological breakthroughs today are the pivotal factors that can tilt the geopolitical scales.

In his 2023 paper, ‘The Diffusion Deficit in Scientific and Technological Power: Re-assessing China’s Rise’ (bit.ly/3DRrAZS), Jeffrey Ding has dwelt at length on the importance of S&T in a nation’s overall strategic policy. While China’s emergence as a global knowledge power is a narrative that has attracted international attention, it has had limited success in attracting talent from open societies. Its strict internet controls, repressive regime and human rights record make it an unattractive destination for global talent, hampering its ability to innovate and grow.