Twelve years of transformation: How India built new infrastructure, digital & strategic capability
India has undergone a significant transformation between 2014 and 2026, marked by extensive development across various sectors. This period saw a broad expansion of physical infrastructure, including roads, railways, metros, and airports, alongside substantial growth in energy capacity and digital public infrastructure. Key initiatives like the National Highway network expansion, increased metro connectivity, and near-complete railway electrification have dramatically improved transport and connectivity nationwide. Furthermore, digital infrastructure saw internet connections quadruple, broadband access surge, and 5G reach nearly all districts, while public services in healthcare, education, and water access also expanded significantly, demonstrating a comprehensive national development strategy.
India's infrastructure boom between 2014 and 2026 holds profound implications for Asia's tech ecosystem. The massive expansion of digital public infrastructure, including a four-fold increase in internet connections and widespread 5G adoption, creates a fertile ground for digital innovation and startup growth. This enhanced connectivity facilitates greater access to online services, e-commerce, and digital payments, driving the digital economy forward and potentially attracting more foreign investment into India's tech sector.
Moreover, the significant upgrades in physical infrastructure, such as improved transportation networks and energy capacity, reduce logistical hurdles and operational costs for tech companies and startups. This creates a more efficient environment for manufacturing, data centers, and the distribution of tech products and services. The growth in space technology, evidenced by increased startups and satellite launches, positions India as a growing player in the global space economy, fostering innovation in satellite communications, remote sensing, and related fields across Asia.
Related reading
6 storiesDeputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina: 14th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting
India's strategic capability growth is a key topic at the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting.
A single lever could ease India's twin agricultural pressures of fertilizer pollution and groundwater stress
India's infrastructure transformation includes agricultural pressures, which a single lever could ease.
If driverless cars already work, why aren’t they everywhere?
Sumsub Launches Workforce Verification as Deepfake Risks Grow
ByteDance’s AI-enhanced short-drama app eclipses China’s Netflix rivals combined
