Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu says India must develop its own talent and build domestic capabilities to earn respect globally, arguing that the country’s national priority should be to create companies and institutions driven by belief in its own potential.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has called on India to prioritise domestic talent, entrepreneurship and nation-building, arguing that the country will not earn true global respect until it develops through the capabilities of its own people.
In a post on X, Vembu said India’s development should not depend on which political ideology holds power, stressing that building the nation’s capabilities is the most urgent priority.
“Until India develops, based on the talents of our own people, we will not find true respect in the world, no matter whether the right, left or centre is in charge anywhere,” Vembu wrote.
He also addressed racism faced by Indians abroad, saying that discriminatory attitudes questioning why Indians seek opportunities in other countries should be countered through nation-building rather than hatred.
“The racist shows us a mirror and asks, ‘If your nation is smart, why do you want to come here’,” he said, adding that his response would be to build rather than hate.
Vembu also pushed back against Indians who believe the country will never develop, saying he would respond to their pessimism through the same approach.
“Some Indians agree with the racist and think India will never develop. I do not hate them either, I want to respond by building,” he wrote.
More from BusinessEmphasising the role of conviction in economic progress, Vembu said companies and nations are built by people who believe development is possible.
“The urgent national priority is to build, build and build,” he added.
