Securing India's technological future
KIRAN KARNIK

[ THURSDAY, MARCH 09, 2006 12:00:18 AM]

In a recent address, the PM bemoaned the lack of strategic thinking within the establishment. Other commentators too have pointed to this inadequacy and to the lack of real debate on larger strategic issues.

In the Nehru era, there was a definite and well-articulated vision of our place in the world. Across the political and intellectual spectrum, there was broad consensus on this, leading to a generally-agreed foreign policy.

In recent years — beginning with the break-up of the Soviet Union, continuing through the 9/11 attack and the US-led invasion of Iraq — we seem to be quite at sea.

From the abortive attempt at a Security Council seat, to the uncertain flirting with a Russia-China-India axis; from flip flops on Nepal to ambivalence about Iran: all these indicate a lack of clear strategic direction, rather than mere inconsistencies in foreign policy.

One clear focus of recent government policy is energy security. Tying up long-term contracts for gas and oil imports, and investing in oil-fields abroad are part of this. The Indo-US nuclear deal too is aimed at ensuring energy security.

Undoubtedly, securing India’s energy future is a key strategic imperative. Food security is another vital element. Equally, there are other critical areas: water, for example, may well prove to be as strategic as oil, given that an important part of North India’s water comes from China.

For each of these — energy, food, water — there is, however, a factor that could radically change our dependence on others: technology. In energy, research on coal gasification and other means of more efficiently using our vast resources of low-grade coal can reduce our hydrocarbon imports.

Similarly, work on photo-voltaics, wind-energy and bio-fuels can contribute to energy independence, as can mini- and micro-hydel projects. In the long-run, thorium-based nuclear plants and hydrogen can be major elements of the energy-mix.

Research on conservation and efficiency measures (e.g., LED lighting) can help reduce demand and be environment friendly. Each of these requires a strong R&D programme, well-funded and efficiently-managed. The role of research in ensuring food security is well established through our “green revolution” years.

Despite undesirable side effects and some problems, there is little doubt that the research — carried from lab to land in the late 1960s and ’70s — rid us of the ship-to-lip affliction, which signified our abject dependence upon food-aid shipments from the US.

The success stories in milk, fruit and flower production too are rooted substantially in technology. We already see serious consequences of water shortages. In drought years, even drinking water becomes a problem. In all our cities, the ground water table is rapidly sinking.

Despite abundant rainfall, we continue to mine rather than harvest our water resources. Use of satellite imagery for siting rain-water harvesting structures, optimising release of water for irrigation, recycling of waste-water, de-salination of sea-water: all these require technological solutions.

The National Institute of Ocean Technology has operationalised a de-salination plant in Lakshadweep. Scaling up and efficiency improvement will need more R&D.

Technology is, clearly, a vital part of ensuring our security in these three critical areas. Its role in military affairs is now well-established. So technology security is the basic factor underlying both our military security and our economic security.

Yet, this is one area which continues to suffer from acute neglect. Through the 1990s, R&D investments as a percentage of GDP actually declined. Fortunately, the trend has been reversed, but is still abysmally low. The Centre’s R&D expenditure is less than $3 billion a year, not even half of what a single corporation like Microsoft, Toyota or Siemens spends.

Indian industry’s investment in R&D is even more dismal: just about $1 billion by the full private sector. This neglect of technology seriously compromises our security by making us dependent on others for key economic inputs, and hence vulnerable to external pressure.

Ensuring technology security must be a key strategic aim, especially in the new world where technology is the basis for both economic and military power.

Proactive steps — a massive increase in the R&D budget, incentives for private sector investment in R&D, promoting research in the universities, etc.,— are essential, as are structural changes in the organisation and management of research initiatives.

Action is also required to protect on-going R&D and to ensure that it does not get stifled by bureaucracy or policies. There is concern about whether our nuclear programme will be constrained by bringing in safeguards and inspections.

If the goal is a place at the high table, that is not forthcoming: India will not be given the status of a Nuclear Weapons State under NPT. On the other hand, separation of civilian and military facilities will imply splitting of research teams, and may result in slowing indigenous technological development.

Therefore, while the accord may provide short-term tactical benefits, (though it is unlikely to really enhance energy security), it will adversely affect our technology security.

The one technology that we do need is uranium enrichment, but there is no indication of this (or any other technologies) being transferred.

We can, of course, perfect this indigenously soon enough, just as we have overcome past denial regimes — whether in nuclear, space or computer technologies — by developing what we need.

One hopes that the government has not suddenly lost faith in the technologists who have successfully delivered satellites, missiles, launch vehicles, super-computers and nuclear weapons, despite severe constraints. We need to continue to support them strongly, in all areas of technology.

Technological security, whether in the three areas of strategic significance mentioned here, or in other equally important economic areas, must be a key element of our long-term vision. The future lies in knowledge and technology, for economic strength, poverty eradication and military security.

Indian industry must wake up to this reality. The government needs to invest far more in R&D, and adopt policies and strategies that ensure our long-term technology security.

(The author is, president, Nasscom. Views are personal)




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