S. Krishnan, IT Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Govt. of India.

India’s AI story is taking shape in a way that’s uniquely its own. It is bold, optimistic, and deeply rooted in innovation.

In this conversation, S. Krishnan, the IT Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India shares how the country is building one of the world’s most ambitious AI ecosystems, from creating cutting-edge infrastructure to empowering local talent and startups. He explains why India’s approach is neither about racing blindly nor holding back in fear, but about finding a “third way” that drives growth responsibly.

In this no-holds-barred interview, S. Krishnan, Secretary at MeitY, lays out how India is charting a third way in AI — one that’s open, balanced, innovation-first, and globally ambitious.From candid moments and laughter to policy precision, this conversation peels back the layers of how India is gearing up to lead the next phase of the global AI race.

Some takeaways you can expect:

  • The Prime Minister’s vision for AI as a productivity and growth force, not a fear narrative.
  • How India balances plans to balance global collaboration with indigenous strength.
  • The innovation-first but regulation-as-needed approach to AI legislation
  • An inside view on how top government leadership is adopting AI in practice.