India Failing in AI Race; Data "Handed Over" to US: Rahul Gandhi
Speaking during an interaction with students at Marian College Kuttikkanam in Kerala’s Idukki district on Thursday, March 5, 2026, Gandhi asserted that India is currently "not a major player" in AI, robotics, or modern technology compared to giants like the United States and China.
A central point of Gandhi’s criticism was the recent India-US trade agreement, which he claimed effectively "handed over" India’s most valuable strategic asset—its data—to the United States. He argued that by failing to leverage the value of its 1.4 billion citizens' data during negotiations, the government has compromised India's digital sovereignty and future potential in the AI sector. Gandhi compared the move to Russia hypothetically giving away its oil reserves, noting that while such an event would cause international outrage, the data transfer occurred with "not a peep" in India.
Beyond technology, the Congress leader also targeted the Indian education system, alleging it is under "ideological attack" by the RSS. He criticized the appointment of university Vice-Chancellors based on ideological affiliation rather than merit, warning that such institutional capture stifles the intellectual freedom and scientific temperament necessary for innovation. Rahul Gandhi concluded by urging for a focus on indigenous production and data control, cautioning that if India remains merely a consumer of foreign technology, it faces a looming crisis in job security and national empowerment.
