Takshashila Doctrine Document - A Techno-Strategic Doctrine for India

Preamble

1. Technology is crucial for India’s development in the Information Age. It is also an important element of national power. The acquisition of advanced technologies is not an end in itself but a means to bring peace and prosperity to all Indian citizens. Unhindered access to state-of-the-art and foundational knowledge is, therefore, in India’s national interest.

2. India seeks a global environment where technology is accessible to humanity. It will also promote a global order where technology strengthens the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution and the UN Charter.

3. India shall strive for effective technology governance that can contribute to all aspects of human development.

4. India must be prepared for cooperation, competition, and conflict in the areas of knowledge creation, human capital, influence, raw materials, and norms.

Objectives

1. To establish India as a major power in international affairs.

2. To invest in the development of advanced scientific and technological capabilities in the public, private, and social sectors.

3. To harness India’s capabilities in the technology domain to achieve national goals.

4. To promote sustainability by using technology.

5. To ensure that technology empowers citizens and safeguards constitutional rights.

Approaches

1. Since human capital is India’s biggest strength, it will strive to maintain the largest talent pool in every technological sector.

2. India will advocate the free movement of people, knowledge, and capital across national boundaries.

3. India will adopt governance frameworks that enable research and development, early deployment, and adoption of technological innovation.

4. In order to protect its strategic autonomy in the technological domain, India will champion open technologies.

5. India will possess top-tier capabilities for information warfare.

6. Governments, private corporations, civil society, academia, and individuals will work in tandem according to their comparative strengths.

7. India will be a vital node in the global technology ecosystem and build strong links with states that share its interests and values and with which it enjoys economic complementarities.

8. India will pursue international cooperation to widen its access to technologies, raw materials, and human resources.

9. India will promote technological innovation to address sustainability challenges.

10. India will adopt a robust legal framework and enforcement mechanism that protects citizens’ data, privacy, cybersecurity, and cognitive autonomy.