Union Minister for Information and Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted India’s growing prowess in sovereign artificial intelligence during an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Speaking exclusively to NDTV, he disclosed that a domestically developed AI model played a pivotal role in a recent major defence operation, yielding “phenomenal” outcomes. Although he refrained from naming the specific mission due to security concerns, his remarks are widely interpreted as a reference to the much-discussed Operation Sindoor, sparking significant interest in strategic and tech circles.

Vaishnaw emphasized India’s deliberate strategy of developing smaller, specialized AI models rather than pursuing massive trillion-parameter general-purpose systems. He explained that the country has supported 12 startups and one IIT in creating a “bouquet” of focused, solution-driven models capable of addressing nearly 95 percent of national requirements. These targeted systems, he argued, deliver superior performance in critical sectors where precision and reliability matter most.

The minister pointed out that ultra-large models are likely to become commoditized over time, while the true competitive edge lies in sector-specific AI tailored for applications in defence, security, logistics, and strategic planning. By prioritizing these specialized tools, India aims to accelerate productivity gains across the economy and ensure technological sovereignty in sensitive domains. Vaishnaw’s comments reflect a maturing national AI doctrine that views indigenous capabilities as essential strategic assets rather than mere digital enablers.

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Although the government has not officially confirmed the deployment of AI in Operation Sindoor, the minister’s confident endorsement strongly suggests that homegrown technology provided crucial support—possibly in planning, real-time coordination, or execution. This development marks a quiet but significant milestone, demonstrating that India’s push for self-reliant AI is already translating into tangible battlefield advantages.

The revelation at Davos positions India as an emerging player in the global AI race, one that prioritizes practical, secure, and sovereign solutions over sheer scale. As discussions around Operation Sindoor continue, Vaishnaw’s remarks underscore how homegrown innovation is beginning to reshape modern defence strategies and national security frameworks.

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