Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India’s extraordinary progress in the field of digital transformation in a crucial address to the G20 Digital Economy Ministers’ Meeting. The Prime Minister emphasized India’s commitment to a secure and prosperous global digital future via the lens of innovation, inclusivity, and technical developments.
The Prime Minister commenced his address by extending a warm welcome to the distinguished delegates, emphasizing Bengaluru’s role as a hub for Science, Technology, and entrepreneurship. He emphasized that Bengaluru, known as the Silicon Valley of India, provided a fitting backdrop for discussions on the digital economy.
He attributed the unprecedented digital transformation in India to the launch of the Digital India initiative in 2015. This initiative has paved the way for India’s journey from a developing nation to a digitally empowered society. Modi lauded India’s digital revolution, which has been founded on innovation, speedy implementation, and inclusivity, ensuring that no individual is left behind.
The scale, speed, and scope of India’s digital transformation were highlighted by the Prime Minister. With a staggering 850 million internet users enjoying cost-effective data services, India’s digital ecosystem is robust and expansive. The Prime Minister’s focus on leveraging technology to enhance governance through efficiency, inclusivity, and transparency was exemplified by Aadhaar – a digital identity platform encompassing over 1.3 billion citizens. He also illuminated the impact of initiatives like the JAM trinity (Jan Dhan bank accounts, Aadhaar, and Mobile) and the UPI payment system, both of which have revolutionized financial inclusion and real-time payments.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister highlighted the efficacy of technology in governance, such as the Direct Benefits Transfer system, which has prevented leakages and saved substantial funds. The CoWIN portal’s role in India’s successful COVID-19 vaccination drive was also underscored, as it enabled the administration of over 2 billion vaccine doses along with verifiable digital certificates.
Modi shed light on transformative platforms like Gati-Shakti and the Government e-Marketplace, which optimize infrastructure planning, logistics, and procurement processes. He also emphasized the Open Network for Digital Commerce’s role in democratizing e-commerce and boosting transparency.
The Prime Minister highlighted the development of Bhashini, an AI-powered language translation platform, showcasing India’s commitment to digital inclusion across diverse languages.
India’s Digital Public Infrastructure was lauded by the Prime Minister as a scalable, secure, and inclusive solution to global challenges. With India’s diverse linguistic and cultural landscape, it serves as a testing ground for innovative solutions applicable worldwide. The Prime Minister emphasized India’s willingness to share experiences globally, citing examples like the CoWIN platform’s offering during the pandemic.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the creation of a G20 virtual Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository, emphasizing that a Common Framework for Digital Public Infrastructure would foster a transparent and equitable digital ecosystem. He welcomed efforts to facilitate cross-country comparisons of digital skills and establish a Virtual Centre of Excellence on Digital Skilling, vital for a future-ready workforce.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the security challenges posed by the global spread of the digital economy. He called for consensus on G20 High-Level Principles for a Secure, Trusted, and Resilient Digital Economy.
Modi highlighted how technology has connected the world, promising inclusive and sustainable development. He proposed harnessing digital technology for sectors like agriculture and healthcare, encouraging the safe use of Artificial Intelligence, and fostering an ecosystem of technology-based solutions. The Prime Minister called for the four Cs – Conviction, Commitment, Coordination, and Collaboration – to lead the way towards addressing global challenges.
The Prime Minister’s address underscores India’s remarkable digital journey and its potential to shape a prosperous, secure, and inclusive global digital future. With its emphasis on innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration, India serves as an inspiration for nations seeking to navigate the complexities of the digital economy.
