Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai has questioned whether the drones featured in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s video on new technology are actually made in India or sourced from China. In response to Gandhi’s comments about India’s lag in drone production, Pai defended the country’s industrial progress, citing several achievements in various sectors over the last decade. He listed India as the 5th largest industrial manufacturing country globally, 2nd largest steel producer, 2nd largest cement producer, 3rd largest automobile producer, and so on.
Pai also asked whether Gandhi is using Indian-made drones or Chinese-made drones, and what the brand is. He urged an end to what he called a “fake narrative” and criticized attempts to pull India down. Gandhi had posted a video highlighting China’s advancements in drone technology, arguing that India needs a strong production base to remain competitive.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches on AI, saying that India cannot lead in AI and technology if it doesn’t control core production technologies. He emphasized the importance of controlling production and stressed that the country has handed over its consumer data, doesn’t make key components, and is limited to assembly.
Pai’s comments come as a rebuttal to Gandhi’s claims, with some supporting his stance by amplifying the video and calling for “substance over rhetoric”. The Congress and Indian Youth Congress have also called for the need to build a robust industrial ecosystem, citing Gandhi’s vision as the way forward. The debate highlights the ongoing discussion about India’s industrial growth and its ability to compete with other economies.