India, May 21 -- Are Indian startups too obsessed with convenience? Is India building enough deeptech muscle to compete with China's AI-first, research-heavy push? Much of the current momentum revolves around "doorstep convenience": instant groceries, same-day deliveries, and digital payments. But where is the deep tech? Where are the foundational bets in AI, quantum computing, or robotics?

It is a valid concern, one that recently drew attention after Piyush Goyal, India's Commerce Minister, commented on the country's startup obsession with doorstep delivery services and quick commerce. But for those deeply embedded in India's tech evolution, the answer isn't as binary.

While the quick-delivery segment grabs headlines, there's serious m...