Wed Apr 09 07:41:46 UTC 2025: ## Indian Minister Urges Startups to Ditch Delivery Apps, Embrace High-Tech Innovation

**New Delhi, India** – Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal issued a stark challenge to the nation’s burgeoning startup ecosystem last week, urging a shift away from consumer-focused apps towards high-tech innovation. Speaking at the Startup Mahakumbh in New Delhi, Goyal criticized the prevalence of food delivery services, characterizing them as creating “cheap labour” for the benefit of affluent consumers. He contrasted this with China’s focus on electric mobility and other advanced technologies, expressing concern that India risks falling behind in the global technological race.

Goyal’s remarks sparked a backlash from some in the startup community, who disputed his assessment and pointed to the challenges posed by India’s regulatory environment. However, his comments reflect a broader global trend of nations prioritizing technological advancement in the face of geopolitical uncertainty and the rise of artificial intelligence.

The article highlights contrasting approaches by major world powers:

* **China:** Following a period of crackdown, the Chinese government is now actively encouraging private sector involvement in “hard tech” and industrial technology, aligning with national goals.
* **Europe:** Concerned about its technological dependence, the European Union, as highlighted in the Draghi Report, is emphasizing investment in education, skills development, and regulatory reform to foster homegrown tech giants.
* **United States:** A wave of tech nationalism, championed by figures like Palantir Technologies CEO Alex Karp and fueled by billionaire investors, seeks to revitalize American technological ambition and industrial might, moving away from consumer-focused apps towards defense and other high-impact sectors.

While Goyal’s call for Indian startups to focus on high-tech development resonates with these global trends, the article points out significant challenges. Data shows that while mobile phone penetration in India is high, computer ownership and digital literacy remain significantly low, hindering the development of a robust tech sector. Despite Goyal’s efforts to inspire, addressing these fundamental infrastructural and skill-based limitations is crucial for India to compete on the global stage.

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