'India also must grow more food': Sridhar Vembu outlines India's 'dharma' amid Donald Trump's tariff wars

The U.S. has been taking steps to shake up the global trade system it once helped create, bringing in a new and uncertain phase. President Trump’s big announcement of tariffs for different countries is a move to change how the U.S. deals with the world economically. While China has retaliated with the same tariff charges, this has created a growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Now Sridhar Vembu, Chief Scientist and co-founder of Zoho, has shared a comprehensive vision for India’s role in navigating the emerging global order.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Vembu offered a seven-point plan that touches on everything from food and energy security to manufacturing, R&D investment, and India’s responsibility toward less developed nations. At the heart of his message is a call for India to lean into its strengths—especially its human capital, self-reliance, and global goodwill—while strategically shaping a resilient and compassionate future.

Food Security
Vembu began by emphasizing the critical importance of food security, noting that India’s self-sufficiency in food production is a strategic advantage. He urged that India must not only safeguard this strength but also expand it to support nations facing food crises. Drawing parallels to India’s vaccine diplomacy during the pandemic, he positioned this as part of India’s larger “dharma” or moral duty as Bharat.

Energy Security
Closely tied to this is energy security. Vembu pointed out the deep dependency of modern agriculture on fossil fuels—whether through fertilizers or mechanization. While India currently enjoys strong ties with petroleum-exporting countries, he stressed the need for a long-term shift toward sustainable agriculture, electric-powered farming, and water management innovations. He also called for the development of model private farms and training centers to scale sustainable practices.

What can India do as we navigate this uncertain world order?

1. First things first, food security. Thankfully India is self-sufficient in food and we must safeguard our food security. As poorer nations face stress, India also must grow more food so we can aid other nations…

— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) April 7, 2025

Negotiating in Rupees
Addressing economic pressures, Vembu warned of an incoming flood of Chinese goods due to overcapacity in China’s manufacturing sector. He proposed that India respond strategically, including negotiating trade deals that allow for imports to be paid in rupees—both to safeguard the Indian economy and potentially boost exports.

Factory Set-up
To boost self-reliance, Vembu made a strong pitch for massive factory building over the next 3-5 years, especially in backward districts, with generous tax incentives to encourage local manufacturing.

Capital Goods
He advocated for prioritizing the import of capital goods over consumer goods, aligning with his broader industrial vision.



Research and Development
A key focus was on research and development. Vembu urged the government and private sector to raise India’s R&D-to-GDP ratio to 3% over the next decade, suggesting mechanisms like CSR-like obligations and faster capital expenditure write-offs to fuel innovation.

Knowledge Sharing
Finally, in a powerful closing point, he said India must become a beacon of knowledge sharing with poorer nations—freely sharing the innovations and technologies born from its investments in R&D. This, he said, was India’s moral responsibility in building a fairer and more stable global order.

In conclusion, Vembu expressed confidence in India’s leadership and its ability to rise to the challenge, citing Prime Minister Modi’s strong global standing as a key asset in this transformative journey.