India emerging as global cybersecurity powerhouse, says German official

India’s growing stature in global digital governance and artificial intelligence took center stage at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit, as global leaders spotlighted the country's strategic importance in shaping a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven cyberspace.

Maria Adebahr, Director for Cyber, Foreign and Security Policy at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, emphasized the criticality of India’s role in global cybersecurity during conversations on the summit’s sidelines.

“This conference is a wonderful opportunity to deepen ties with India. Given the geopolitical realities, India is an indispensable partner,” Adebahr stated.

She called for democratic nations to unite in forging a digital ecosystem that is secure, transparent, and equitable. “Artificial intelligence must be inclusive and secure by design. India stands out as a powerful example — given its scale, services, and digital infrastructure,” she noted.

The summit also saw praise from Jon Simonsson, Senior Director at the Swedish Prime Minister’s Office, who applauded India’s thriving innovation ecosystem and its trajectory in high-tech development. Highlighting the country’s rich talent pool and conducive conditions for entrepreneurship, Simonsson underscored the need for robust institutional backing.

“They must make it easier for students and entrepreneurs to step forward and innovate,” he said, stressing the role of capital in accelerating progress. “India is home to over 100 unicorns—startups here can take the lead just like DeepSeek has.”

These sentiments resonated throughout the summit as panelists echoed the need for policy shifts. Lt. Gen. (Retd) Raj Shukla, a member of the Union Public Service Commission, drew attention to India’s strength in algorithmic innovation, urging for regulatory relaxation.

“Innovation and regulation often clash,” Shukla asserted. “To fully unleash India’s talent, we must embrace bold deregulation.”

The summit concluded with a shared consensus: India’s leadership in AI and deep learning is not just about its vast talent and entrepreneurial spirit, but about cultivating a digital future that embraces openness, experimentation, and strategic investment.