Tarun Mehta, co-founder and CEO of Ather Energy, believes India has reached a pivotal moment where it can transition from merely adopting global technology standards to actively shaping them. Mehta emphasized that India's growing expertise in emerging sectors like electric two-wheelers, digital payments, and drones positions the nation to become a global leader in setting technological benchmarks.
India's Opportunity to Define Global Frameworks
In a recent statement, Mehta highlighted that countries which invent and perfect technologies are inherently best placed to define the standards governing them. He pointed to Japan as a prime example, noting that it exports not just its iconic bullet trains but also the intricate standards that accompany them – from approved steel and window-sealing glass to specialized fasteners. This strategic approach provides a long-term advantage by favoring local suppliers who are already aligned with these proprietary standards.
From Adoption to Innovation Leadership
Mehta argued that for the first time, India is developing world-class capabilities in several critical areas. He specifically cited the electric two-wheeler industry and the country's robust digital payments infrastructure as sectors where India's innovation is undeniable. He also suggested that drone technology could soon join this list.
The Ather CEO stressed that India should cultivate the confidence to write these standards, which would not only accelerate the adoption of new technologies globally but also firmly establish India as a leading center for innovation and manufacturing.
The Economic and Strategic Benefits
By defining global technology standards, India stands to gain significant economic and strategic benefits. It would foster an ecosystem where Indian companies and innovators have a natural advantage, much like Japanese suppliers benefit from their country's established railway standards. This move would solidify India's position on the global technology stage, attracting investment and talent while further boosting its burgeoning tech sectors.
"Today, for the first time in our lives, there are things where India genuinely is becoming world-class at. Look at our industry, electric 2Ws. Look at payments. Maybe even drones and other new technologies soon enough," Mehta stated, underscoring the nation's newfound technological prowess.
Mehta's comments underscore a broader national aspiration for India to leverage its technological advancements to exert greater influence on international norms and practices, moving beyond being a consumer of technology to a global architect of its future.