India’s Digital Sovereignty Gaps Remain Concentrated in Seven Critical Hardware Dependencies
A BDIA evaluation of 29 technology domains underscores that genuine resilience requires moving beyond software and local assembly into core silicon, materials, and foundational control.
India has made considerable progress in building its digital infrastructure and developing indigenous technology capabilities. However, a new assessment suggests that the country still faces significant dependencies on foreign technologies across seven critical hardware and foundational technology areas.
According to the Bharath Digital Infrastructure Association (BDIA), India’s digital sovereignty challenge is now less about software and more about gaining control over the deeper layers of the technology ecosystem. The assessment reviewed 29 technology domains and found that while India has strong capabilities in several areas, seven remain heavily dependent on foreign proprietary technologies.
The Seven Critical Hardware Dependencies
These include specialty materials and chemistry, subsea cable systems, semiconductor fabrication and tooling, advanced compute and accelerator silicon, memory, storage hardware and media, merchant network silicon, and root-of-trust and cryptographic silicon.
Specialty Materials and Chemistry
Subsea Cable Systems
Semiconductor Fabrication and Tooling
Advanced Compute and Accelerator Silicon
Memory, Storage Hardware and Media
Merchant Network Silicon
Root-of-Trust and Cryptographic Silicon
Domestic Capabilities vs. True Sovereignty
India has already built notable strengths in areas such as optical fibre manufacturing, 4G and 5G networks, Digital Public Infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity, data-centre hardware and semiconductor design. Yet, the report argues that having domestic capabilities does not automatically guarantee technological sovereignty. Market adoption, commercial scale, procurement policies and control over critical components are equally important.
Policy Imperatives & Strategic Roadmap
BDIA has recommended a long-term strategic capability programme for the seven vulnerable areas, with clear funding, ownership, timelines and industry partnerships. Its proposals also include a National AI Sovereignty Framework, stronger technology-risk assessments and procurement policies focused on control and continuity.
The broader message is clear: India’s digital future cannot depend solely on assembling or deploying technology locally. Building genuine resilience will require deeper control over the foundational hardware and technologies that keep the country’s digital infrastructure running.
