Chennai: Zoho founder and chief scientist Sridhar Vembu has described the reported US restrictions on access to advanced AI models Fable 5 and Mythos 5 as a major wake-up call for India, urging the country to abandon what he called “globalization illusions” and accelerate efforts toward technological self-reliance.
Reacting to reports that access to the latest AI models had been limited for users outside the United States, Vembu argued that the development highlights the risks of relying excessively on foreign technology platforms. He said India must focus on building its own capabilities in critical technologies rather than assuming global access will always remain unrestricted.
According to Vembu, the episode demonstrates how strategic technologies can quickly become subject to geopolitical considerations. He suggested that India should treat the restrictions as a reminder that technological sovereignty is increasingly important in a world marked by rising competition among major powers.
The Zoho founder has long advocated for greater investment in indigenous innovation, research and development. In recent years, he has repeatedly argued that India must strengthen its capabilities across a wide range of deep-tech sectors, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, robotics and computing infrastructure.
Vembu emphasized that India’s response should not be limited to increasing spending on foreign AI services. Instead, he called for the development of homegrown AI technologies and greater adoption of open-source alternatives that can reduce dependence on external providers.
His comments come amid a broader debate about India’s AI future. As businesses and developers increasingly rely on AI tools developed in the United States, concerns have emerged about long-term dependence on foreign infrastructure, cloud services and AI models. Vembu has previously warned that large-scale reliance on imported AI services could eventually create significant economic and strategic vulnerabilities.
The Zoho founder also pointed to the importance of long-term research investments. He has consistently argued that India needs sustained investments in deep technology and innovation over a period of five to ten years if it hopes to compete with global technology leaders.
Industry experts note that the debate reflects a growing global trend. Countries across Europe, Asia and the Middle East are increasingly investing in sovereign AI infrastructure, domestic semiconductor manufacturing and national technology ecosystems to reduce reliance on a small number of foreign technology providers.
Vembu’s remarks have resonated with supporters of India’s self-reliance agenda, who argue that the country must develop its own technological strengths in the same way it built capabilities in sectors such as space, pharmaceuticals and digital payments.
At the same time, analysts caution that building globally competitive AI systems will require substantial investments in talent, computing power, research institutions and supporting infrastructure. However, many agree that recent developments have reinforced the importance of reducing strategic dependence on external technologies.
For Vembu, the message is clear: India should view the latest AI restrictions not as a setback but as an opportunity to accelerate domestic innovation. As the global race for artificial intelligence leadership intensifies, he believes the country must chart its own path rather than rely solely on technologies developed elsewhere.
