Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the government for lacking transparency regarding India’s data protection policies. He argued that India should lead the global tech race but is instead being kept in the dark about how its data will be safeguarded, particularly in light of recent trade deals with the U.S.
Gandhi emphasized that India’s data belongs to its people and could be a major asset for AI development, business growth, and job creation. He raised concerns about whether Indian health, financial, and government data would remain within the country under new agreements. He also questioned if foreign companies will still be required to store data in India.
Gandhi criticized the government for providing vague answers on data sovereignty issues, using terms like “framework” and “balance” without specifics. He accused the government of not informing citizens about what it is negotiating away.
The government, through its response by Minister Jitin Prasada, assured that India’s IT ecosystem remains strong, with over $280 billion in revenues and $225 billion in exports last fiscal year. Prasada highlighted that India has successfully negotiated digital trade chapters in agreements with the UAE, UK, and EU while safeguarding its interests.
He also noted that ongoing negotiations with the U.S. aim to create a free and fair digital environment while preserving India’s regulatory autonomy. The minister emphasized that no agreement would restrict India’s ability to manage its own data or regulate AI within its legal framework.