Why swadeshi software is becoming a national conversation

A disruption at Nayara Energy, one of India’s leading oil refiners, has brought fresh focus on the country’s reliance on foreign software. The company faced operational difficulties after enterprise software giant SAP suspended its services, reportedly linked to international sanctions on Russia. Interestingly, this was not the first time Nayara faced such a disruption. For instance, earlier this year, Microsoft had also suspended its services before later restoring them.

Nayara has since approached the Delhi High Court seeking restoration of access.

This episode has become a touchpoint in India’s larger debate on digital sovereignty, exposing how global corporate decisions, compliance or geopolitical disputes can ripple through critical national infrastructure.

But events like these nevertheless put the spotlight on digital sovereignty.

A symbolic move

And the conversations around digital sovereignty gathered momentum when Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that he was moving his official work to Zoho, an Indian-founded software platform. His public call on social media urging others to adopt “swadeshi” software was seen as more than a personal preference. It was a strategic endorsement of domestic innovation.

The move was warmly received by Indian technology leaders. Zoho’s founder, Sridhar Vembu, called it a morale boost for his team, underlining how symbolic gestures can spark wider momentum.

Thank you Sir, this is a huge morale boost for our engineers who have worked hard for over two decades to build our product suite.

We will make you proud and make our nation proud. Jai Hind 🙏 https://t.co/QyeqBWworu

— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) September 22, 2025

Securing India’s digital future

According to experts, the drive for “swadeshi” software extends beyond questions of national pride. It is increasingly tied to national security and digital resilience. Dependence on foreign software creates exposure to geopolitical disputes or unilateral decisions by multinational corporations. Strengthening domestic capabilities is now viewed as essential to safeguard critical infrastructure and reduce risk.

This push aligns closely with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The intent is not isolationism but resilience: building a competitive, secure domestic ecosystem that complements global integration.

India already plays a pivotal role in the global software industry, with a strong talent base and thriving startup ecosystem. The question is whether the next growth phase will be marked by wider adoption of homegrown platforms, especially by government and large enterprises.

The push for swadeshi software is no longer just rhetoric. As global uncertainties deepen, India’s ability to build and trust its own platforms may decide how resilient its digital future will be.