Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu called on Indians to prioritize developing technological capabilities within India rather than seeking validation through achievements abroad. His comments came amid an ongoing debate about Indian immigration and talent retention.
“To earn true respect in the world, Indians have to develop deep capabilities in India. Achievements abroad won’t do it,” Vembu stated on X, emphasizing the importance of building domestic technological prowess.
“As an Indian, I work hard to retain talent in India because we so badly need the talent to develop India’s technology capability,” Vembu explained. He praised America‘s immigrant-friendly policies while questioning the sustainability of relying heavily on imported talent.
The tech executive addressed the complex dynamics of international talent migration, noting that while opposition to immigration can sometimes stem from racism, it’s reasonable to debate a nation’s reliance on imported talent. He pointed out that American companies have historically preferred importing talent over developing it domestically.
Commenting on an analysis about Indian immigration to the United States, Vembu acknowledged America’s success in attracting and integrating global talent while expressing his commitment to retaining skilled professionals in India. He highlighted the critical need for talent to advance India’s technological capabilities.
The discussion touched on broader themes of national development and talent retention. Vembu posed a thoughtful question about prioritizing GDP rankings and technological leadership through imported talent: “Is it worth the bragging rights to be the number 1 in GDP or number 1 in AI or whatever, achieved with imported talent, but at the price of leaving your own people behind?”
