The session highlighted India’s pivotal moment in biotechnology, where biology and digital technologies are converging to create transformative opportunities in health, environment, and industry. Advances in synthetic biology, genome sequencing, and programmable biology signal a shift toward “living machines” and digital biology. At the same time, the discussions underscored the urgency of sovereign biotechnology and biosecurity to safeguard national interests. Drawing on India’s strong scientific legacy and vibrant ecosystem, the call was clear: to build bold, future-ready frameworks that position the country as a global leader in breakthrough biotechnology. He stressed that technology breakthroughs can emerge globally from unexpected places, pointing to DeepSeek and the fact that 31% of global pharmaceuticals originate from China, underscoring the need for India to strengthen its own biotechnology enterprise. Central to this vision is the idea of sovereign biotechnology, where biosecurity (biodefense, public health preparedness, and rapid response) is a national imperative.