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India must bolster its technological and economic resilience in the face of shifting global priorities, according to Dean Grandy, KPMG's global head for government and public sector. The country needs to develop its own solutions to address national problems and build economic capacity to invest in areas that serve its best interests. Grandy dismissed concerns over capital outflows, attributing the trend to global factors rather than being unique to India.

With geopolitical volatility, no nation or region can operate independently, Grandy emphasized. Foreign trade agreements and multilateral arrangements are crucial for shared understanding, investment, and a common vision for the future. Collaboration between like-minded governments, including knowledge sharing, insights, capabilities, and funding, is essential for India and other countries to co-invest in their futures.

Recent geopolitical instability has led to a fundamental shift in how governments prioritize protecting citizens and ensuring societal and economic well-being. This shift prioritizes national security considerations, which may lead to less money being allocated to welfare, healthcare, and education. In response, India should focus on building domestic capabilities, securing critical infrastructure, and retaining control over data.

India's size, economic growth, youthful population, and expanding AI capabilities provide a solid foundation for sustainable growth. To thrive in the AI landscape, India must invest in domestic infrastructure, large language models, digital literacy, and technical capabilities while maintaining close ties with other governments.

Additionally, India must be prepared to react swiftly to any issues surrounding AI access, supply, or use. Grandy suggested that India should establish its own AI regulations rather than relying on a single global framework, as competing national interests make this unlikely. The potential for a comprehensive global regulatory framework is limited by the numerous competing interests among countries at the forefront of AI development.