Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has come under intense scrutiny after posting a video in which he not only criticises India’s technological progress but also showcases a banned Chinese-made DJI drone, raising serious questions about his respect for national laws and his true allegiance to India’s self-reliance vision.
The video, in which Gandhi laments India’s lag in drone technology and calls for a “strong production base”, is saturated with contradictions. While he criticises the Indian government’s handling of technology, he is seen operating a DJI drone, a product that has been banned in India since 2022 due to security concerns. DJI, based in Shenzhen, China, is a company that has faced widespread scrutiny globally for its alleged ties to the Chinese government and military, making its products illegal for use in Indian airspace.
Drones have revolutionised warfare, combining batteries, motors and optics to manoeuver and communicate on the battlefield in unprecedented ways. But drones are not just one technology – they are bottom-up innovations produced by a strong industrial system.
Unfortunately, PM… pic.twitter.com/giEFLSJxxv
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 15, 2025
The Drone Federation of India (DFI) immediately fired back, questioning how Gandhi acquired a banned product and whether he followed the Drone Rules 2021, which mandate that all drones be registered on DigitalSky. More significantly, the rules also require drone operators to hold a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC), which Gandhi, in his video, did not seem to possess.
“How was the banned drone acquired?” – DFI President raises red flags
Smit Shah, President of the Drone Federation of India, expressed his outrage, emphasising that Rahul Gandhi’s video was not only misleading but outright irresponsible. In a series of pointed questions posted on social media, Shah demanded:
- “How was this banned DJI drone acquired? It is illegal to fly such drones in India since 2022.”
- “Did Rahul Gandhi ensure the drone was registered as per India’s Drone Rules 2021? Was the drone registered on DigitalSky?”
- “Did Rahul Gandhi hold the necessary Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) to operate the drone?”
- “Did he obtain clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) or Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to
- operate the drone in a restricted zone, which likely includes his residence and office?”
Rahul Gandhi's statements dismiss India's drone industry while proudly showcasing a banned Chinese DJI drone.
Yes, the industry is still in its nascent stage and a lot has to be done, but arm chair criticism with zero tangible suggestions won’t help.
Collective efforts of… pic.twitter.com/48nOMttUFY
— Smit Shah 🚀 (@BlameItOnSmit) February 16, 2025
Shah expressed his discomfort with Gandhi’s actions, pointing out that, as a public figure with significant influence, Gandhi’s behavior sends the wrong message to the younger generation working hard to develop the domestic drone ecosystem.
“When someone with significant responsibility takes up a Chinese drone and belittles the entire industry, then young people like me have to speak up,” Shah said. “There are over 400 companies in our country and about 40 to 50 drone component companies that are working tirelessly to tackle challenges in the industry. And then someone whose personality is followed by at least some section of society comes and takes up a Chinese drone, saying that we don’t understand anything in India and none of these parts are made in India. It is quite discouraging.”
Shah further emphasised the discomfort within the drone community over Gandhi’s choice to operate a banned DJI drone, which has been prohibited in India since 2022 due to national security concerns. He called the incident “uncomfortable for me and probably for the whole community.”
#WATCH | Maharashtra: On Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's statement regarding India's drone industry, Smit Shah, President of Drone Federation of India says, "…When someone with significant responsibility takes up a Chinese drone and belittles the entire industry,… pic.twitter.com/JzrAhjAAhc
— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2025
The DFI President also highlighted the positive strides made in India’s drone sector, particularly since the government, industry, and academia united in 2021 to drive the country’s drone ambitions. Shah noted that the government’s active stance in supporting drone innovation through clear regulations has been vital to transforming India into a global drone hub.
“In 2021, the government, with the support of the industry and academia, actively took a stance that we no longer believe that we are confused or looking at drones through the prism of confusion,” Shah explained. “We very clearly understand that drones are an opportunity. The technology has been used for quite some time now, but it has to be one of the most important technologies going forward, which is when there was a focus on making India a global drone hub.”
While Gandhi’s open defiance of Indian regulations raises eyebrows, the larger question remains: Why would a senior political figure showcase a banned Chinese drone in the first place?
The Drone Rules 2021 were introduced to ensure national security, with the DJI drones specifically targeted due to concerns about data privacy and security. Yet, Rahul Gandhi, in his pursuit to discredit the Indian government’s technological progress, has conveniently ignored the fact that the product he is proudly displaying is illegal in India. In his bid to amplify his anti-Modi rhetoric, Gandhi has effectively undermined the nation’s stance on self-reliance and national security.
In the video, Rahul Gandhi criticises Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “empty words” about AI and technology, claiming that India needs a “strong production base” to compete globally. While he correctly points out that drones have revolutionised warfare and industrial applications, Gandhi’s suggestion that India is failing to innovate rings hollow when he showcases a Chinese drone in a country where local industries are booming.
It’s not just the drone incident that raises questions about Rahul Gandhi’s intentions. This move fits into a broader pattern of undermining India’s progress while praising China. Gandhi’s consistent praise for China’s technological advancements over India’s domestic efforts has led many to wonder about his political motivations. His recent endorsement of Chinese-made technology undercuts the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative, a key pillar of Prime Minister Modi’s economic agenda.
Mohandas Pai, former CFO of Infosys, was quick to call out Gandhi’s statements, labeling them as a “fake narrative” aimed at pulling India down. Pai wrote:
“Pl check whether he is using Indian drones or Chinese-made drones? What brand is this? India is now the 5th largest industrial manufacturing country globally, 2nd largest in steel, 2nd largest in cement, 3rd largest automobile producer, 2nd largest mobile phone producer, and 3rd largest power producer. Much of this has happened in the last 10 years. Why try to belittle India’s achievements?”
Pl check whether he is using Indian Drones or Chinese made Drones? What brand is this?
India is the 5th largest Industrial manufacturing country globally today, 2nd largest steel producer, 2nd largest cement, 3 largest automobile producer, Largest 2W manufacturer, 2nd largest… https://t.co/DZsIIMoC0P— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) February 16, 2025
This isn’t the first time Rahul Gandhi has displayed a pro-China tilt. His previous praise for China’s “vision” and “superior industrial system” has raised eyebrows, particularly given China’s aggression along the Indian border.
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