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Vembu's Core Message: Build Tech at Home
Sridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho Corporation, has urged the Indian diaspora in the United States to return home. Vembu's core argument is that India's global standing and the respect it earns will come from developing its own technological capabilities, not from the achievements of its citizens working overseas. He believes India's 'civilizational strength' depends on its domestic innovation and tech leadership, a point he shared on X on April 27, 2026.
Global Respect Needs Domestic Tech, Not Just Exports
Vembu stressed that global respect comes from solid domestic tech skills, not just economic numbers or influence gained from the diaspora. He cautioned against confusing economic figures with true standing if India stays reliant on outside help. He feels national prosperity, security, and global influence are tied to a country controlling its own tech future. His comments come amid wider talks about India's significant 'brain drain,' where talent has moved abroad for decades.
India's Growing Role in Global Tech
India is quickly becoming a major player in global technology, ranking third worldwide in AI ecosystems, behind only the US and China. This growth is fueled by a large talent pool: over 4 million IT professionals and more than 1 million engineers graduate yearly, many in AI and machine learning. Tech spending in India is expected to jump 13.4% in 2026, faster than most Asia-Pacific countries. India's innovation ecosystem is also globally recognized. The country often exceeds its expected innovation output for its development level, scoring highly in Knowledge & Technology Outputs. Zoho Corporation itself shows this progress, with India now its second-largest market and a major revenue contributor, indicating growing local demand for advanced digital tools.
The Shift: From 'Brain Drain' to 'Brain Gain'
The story of Indian professionals moving abroad is changing. What was once seen as a 'brain drain' is now viewed more as 'brain circulation' or 'brain gain.' More skilled Indians are returning home to help develop the country. The Indian diaspora, over 35 million strong worldwide, is a major force for investment, sharing knowledge, and new businesses. Their contributions have helped start tech industries and research groups, greatly improving India's global economic connections and image. Government initiatives like Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) aim to involve this important community.
Hurdles to Building Tech Strength at Home
Despite its strengths, India faces challenges in keeping and attracting top talent. Tech salaries in India are expected to rise nearly 10% in 2026, the highest in Asia-Pacific, signaling strong competition for skilled workers and higher costs. India has many AI developers, but a shortage of specialized AI research scientists and, critically, AI governance experts could slow adoption and global standard-setting. Also, global companies, including those in the US, have often relied on imported talent, making it harder to foster domestic development than simply using outside experts. The large number of Indian students studying abroad (over 11.6 lakh students, or approximately 1.16 million, as of January 2024) continues this outflow, requiring retention efforts beyond just money. Sridhar Vembu himself has called for a 'National Mission for Tech Resilience,' stressing self-reliance in areas like operating systems and software to protect against geopolitical risks and tech weaponization.
Building India's Tech Future
Vembu's call aligns with a strategy for India to use its young population and growing digital economy to become a self-reliant tech leader. The country aims to lead in AI, with significant investments in data centers and a growing startup scene creating a strong foundation for this goal. By nurturing domestic tech leaders and creating an environment where returning professionals can add value to research and innovation, India seeks to achieve not only economic growth but also true global influence and respect, based on its own 'civilizational strength' in the tech age.