Ashwini Vaishnaw launches Substack newsletter on technology and policy

MUMBAI: Vaishnaw is putting a new spin on the newsletter straight from the minister’s desk. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw has launched his own Substack newsletter, creating a direct publishing channel for his views on government policy, technology and India’s economic and industrial development.

His first post, titled “How we are building India’s semiconductor ecosystem”, focuses on the government’s efforts to develop domestic capabilities across the semiconductor value chain, including chip design, manufacturing and the broader supply chain.

The post comes as the government pushes to build an ecosystem spanning design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, while also developing the supporting infrastructure and talent required to make semiconductor manufacturing viable in India.

The Substack move gives Vaishnaw a platform outside conventional government communication channels, allowing him to explain policy initiatives and industry developments in a longer-form format. Rather than relying solely on official announcements, the newsletter gives the minister space to present his perspective directly to readers.

The newsletter has already attracted 458 subscribers, offering an early indication of interest in Vaishnaw’s direct commentary on technology and policy.

The launch also adds another layer to the minister’s growing digital outreach. Vaishnaw has increasingly used online platforms to communicate with citizens and industry stakeholders on developments across technology and policy.

With semiconductors taking centre stage in his first post, the new newsletter is starting on one of the government’s biggest technology bets and giving the minister a new place to unpack how India plans to build it.