It is not correct to assume that the best brains are migrating to US. Only a small fraction of the best brains are leaving India; an overwhelming majority of great brains are right here in India. But, they are languishing under an inefficient system, unable to display their potential. For example, take the nuclear reserach establishment (or any other government controlled research organization). There is no recognition or incentive for merit, leadership, hardwork or ingenuity. Everything runs according to seniority or loyalty to the boss. Even the brains like Einsten can not achieve anything under such oppressive environment.
If you want India to stop begging US or any other country for technology, then get rid of the current system of goverment run research organizations (DRDL, GTRE, ADA, ADE, HAL and a zillion other organizations like them). Privatize research and development, be it nuclear or aircraft (eg. LCA) or battle tanks or spacecraft. The government should fund competitive private research on a mission basis with clearly outlined deliverables. These private organizations will then hire the best Indian brains, give them everything they need (both resources and incentives) to accomplish the goals. Under such a model, I don't think India will need any more than 10 - 20 years to become a high tech giant and can start selling technology to other countries, be it nuclear power, alternative energy, space or defense.
But as long as research and development is viewed and run as another "babu fiefdom", India will continue to beg the west for technology and other things.
