New Delhi: Drone Federation of India (DFI) President Smit Shah slammed Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi after the latter showcased a China-made drone in his new video. He added that mere criticism of Indian drones won’t help.
Sharing a video message on X, Shah said that while the drone industry in India is at the initial stage, a lot is needed to be done. Observing that the Congress leader was off the mark, the DFI President also posed several questions in the new video.
‘Rahul Gandhi’s video proudly showcases banned Chinese DJI drone’
“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 armchair criticism with zero tangible suggestions won’t help. Collective efforts of industry players, academia, and policymakers are truly remarkable,” Shah posted on X.
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
He went on to add, “His video raises serious concerns – DJI drones are banned in India from 2022. How was this drone acquired? Drone Rules 2021 mandates all drones be registered on DigitalSky. Was this? Operating a drone requires a Remote Pilot Certificate. Did he have one? His residence & office is likely in the red zone. Did he get clearance from MoCA/MHA before flying the drone? Do the rules not apply to him? Or does he just not care.”
Mohandas Pai too questioned Rahul Gandhi’s remarks
Earlier on Sunday, former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai too questioned Rahul Gandhi’s remarks. Taking to X, he wrote, “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 mobile phone producer, 3rd largest power producer… much of this in the last 10 years. Pl stop this fake narrative and try to pull India down.”
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
On Saturday, Gandhi posted a video on the social media platform observing that India needed a strong production base for drones “Drones are not just one technology – they are bottom-up innovations produced by a strong industrial system. Unfortunately, PM Modi has failed to grasp this. While he delivers ‘teleprompter’ speeches on AI, our competitors are mastering new technologies. India needs a strong production base not empty words. India has immense talent, scale and drive. We must have a clear vision and build real industrial prowess to give our youth jobs and lead India into the future,” he said.
