"India Must Grow More Food To Aid Other Nations" - Sridhar Vembu's 7-Point Plan For Global Leadership (Image: X/Sridharvembu)
The US is reshaping global trade, introducing uncertainty with President Trump’s tariffs on various countries.
Also, China’s retaliatory measures have escalated economic tensions. Meanwhile, Sridhar Vembu, the Chief Scientist and co-founder of Zoho, has shared his vision for India’s role in the emerging world order as the global economy undergoes major shifts.
In a post on social media platform X on April 7, he outlined a comprehensive seven-point plan that highlights India’s potential to lead in this new economic era.
Also, read| AI Is Not The Reason Behind Struggling Software Job Market: Zoho CEO
His ideas cover everything from food and energy security to manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and India’s global responsibilities.
Vembu begins by emphasising India’s strengths, such as its large, young workforce, rapidly growing technology sector, and strong global relationships.
He stated that with the right approach, India can position itself as a leader in the global economy. He also stresses that India must use its strengths wisely, including the moral responsibility to support less developed countries.
Here are Sridhar Vembu’s 7 points:
1. India must safeguard its food security and grow more food to aid other nations.
2. Shift towards sustainable agriculture, electric-powered farming, and better water management.
3. Negotiate trade deals that allow payments in rupees to protect the Indian economy and boost exports.
4. Increase local manufacturing, particularly in backward areas, with a large-scale factory building initiative over the next 3-5 years, supported by tax incentives.
5. Increase spending on R&D, aiming to raise India’s R&D-to-GDP ratio to 3% over the next decade.
6. Research and Development: Drive more investment in research and development through methods like CSR obligations and quicker capital expenditure write-offs.
7. Global Responsibilities: Share India’s innovations and technological advancements with poorer countries, fulfilling India’s moral responsibility to help other nations.
What can India do as we navigate this uncertain world order?
1. First things first, food security. Thankfully, India is self-sufficient in food, and we must safeguard our food security. As poorer nations face stress, India also must grow more food so we can aid other nations…
— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) April 7, 2025
He also believes India should not only protect this strength but also expand it to help countries facing food shortages. Just like India’s vaccine diplomacy during the COVID-19 pandemic, he sees food security as a way to fulfill India’s “dharma” or duty to the world.
Also, read| Case Against Infosys Co-Founder Kris Gopalakrishnan: All You Need To Know About SC/ST Act
Vembu also addresses energy security, especially in agriculture. He points out the heavy reliance of modern farming on fossil fuels for fertilizers and machinery.
While India has strong ties with oil-exporting countries, he calls for a shift towards sustainable agriculture, electric-powered farming, and better water management. He suggests creating model private farms and training centers to promote these sustainable practices.
As China’s overcapacity in manufacturing continues to affect global trade, Sridhar Vembu urges India to take action.
He stated that India has a moral responsibility to help other nations by freely sharing the knowledge it gains through its R&D investments. This would contribute to a more stable and fair global system.
He has given a clear roadmap for India’s role in the new global economy on the plans about how India can rise to the challenges of the future and play a key role in shaping the world’s economic order. Sridhar Vembu also expresses confidence that India can lead the way in this transformation.
