The discussion paper on “Industrial Policy 2017” floated by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has stressed promoting the transfer of foreign technology as one of the key priorities with respect to the existing foreign direct investment policy regime. However, the focus remains on ensuring enhanced access to technology. This may not lead to technology transfer owing to several restrictive conditions imposed on the usage of technology by the licensor. For gaining real acquisition of technology, a purposive policy intervention is required through regulatory supervision of costs and conditions negotiated in technology collaboration agreements.
