Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday raised serious concerns about India’s data sovereignty, questioning the government over its approach to digital trade agreements, especially with the United States.
Speaking on the issue, Gandhi said that India’s data belongs to its citizens and can play a crucial role in building the country’s future in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector. He warned that unclear policies and international commitments could weaken India’s control over its own data.
He asked the government what “reducing barriers” with the US actually means, and whether it could impact India’s rules on data localisation. Gandhi also questioned if sensitive data such as health records, financial information, and government databases would remain securely stored within the country.
According to him, India should be leading the global tech race, but instead there is a lack of transparency about how data will be protected. He criticized the government for giving vague replies, saying terms like “framework”, “balance”, and “autonomy” are being used without clear details.
Gandhi further highlighted that in the AI-driven economy, data is a powerful resource that can help India build technology, grow companies, and create jobs. He stressed that losing control over this data could affect India’s long-term digital growth.
Responding to these concerns, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada said that India’s interests are fully safeguarded. He pointed out that India has a strong IT sector with billions in revenue and millions of jobs, making digital trade an important part of the economy.
Prasada also stated that the ongoing India–US trade discussions aim to create a fair and open digital environment while maintaining India’s regulatory independence. He assured that such agreements do not restrict India’s ability to manage and protect its own data.
The issue has now become a major topic of debate, raising questions about how India can balance international cooperation with protecting its digital sovereignty and national interests.
