Abstract
Data control is no longer a peripheral technical issue. It now sits at the centre of how power is exercised. In India, this is already evident. Parts of the digital ecosystem remain tied to external systems, standards, and supply chains. In normal conditions, this works and delivers scale. However, in conflict or crises, it could expose vulnerabilities in access, integrity, and system control. The outcome is a subtle, persistent erosion of confidence in systems that have long supported decision-making across the military, political, and economic spheres.
