Digital India–the flagship programme of the Narendra Modi government–had gained global recognition for the far-reaching impact it had on the delivery of government schemes. While the biggest success of the digital push has been the adoption of UPI transactions, the world got its first glimpse of Indian digital power when the Covid vaccination drive was scheduled online. Many so-called advanced economies of the world, despite three years of the onset of pandemic, haven’t moved away from paperless models in the distribution of vaccines. The digital gap between India and rest of the world is increasing and Modi government has taken the lead in ensuring this transformation.
In India’s presidency of G20, the global powers expect to channelize this Digital success onto the global scale for humanitarian causes across the world. The largest economies in the world like USA, China and European countries have always understood importance of India in the digital space.
The American tech-giants have time and again realised that success of India CEO’s in leading biggest tech companies in the world is no fluke. India had an ecosystem of talent when combined with right intent and dynamism which Modi Government brought it which resulted in these digital success stories. The world considers India’s G20 presidency as an opportunity to partake and join in the success of India by taking it to global level. The Modi government didn’t disappoint.
“Stay Safe Online” campaign and “G20 Digital Innovation Alliance” are among the first programs to be launched by worldwide by G20 by any ministry. The MeitY, Nodal Ministry for the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG), has represented India in numerous working groups and Ministerial sessions during previous presidencies. During India’s G20 presidency this time, MeitY will focus on three priority areas, namely Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Cyber Security, and Digital Skill Development, together with the Stay Safe Online campaign and DIA programme under the DEWG.
As the world reaches the peak of digitalization, the Indian leadership aimed towards a “safe online experience” is looked upon by the world with excitement. Every country in the world wants citizenry to move online for the speed and convenience it offers in wide range of services. No country in the world wants an unsafe online environment which poses grave risks for its people. The G20 Digital Innovation Alliance (G20-DIA) Summit will bring together key players in the innovation ecosystem from both G20 member countries and the invited non-member countries in order to recognise and support startups. The initiative is aimed at creating cutting-edge digital solutions in the six themes that bridge the digital divide between different segments of humanity and advance the world economy. With the world setting such a lofty goal, the G20 leadership of India comes at an apt time. India not only has an edge in various digital initiatives, the Indian experience due to it’s sheer scale can be successfully replicated across the world.
Most of the G20 countries have a population size which is a small fraction of what India has. The number of users are correspondingly quite low. States like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra alone are bigger than many G20 countries. Therefore, the advanced economies led by the Indian G20 Presidency can take solace from the fact that Modi government has first-hand experience in ensuring a truly safe and credible digital model which the whole world can emulate.
India on 1 December 2022 took over the G20 Presidency with the theme of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth, One Family, One Future). Digital medium is the future of communication.
The digital revolution had already made the global internet user populace into one interconnected whole. If there is any country which has a rich civilization and ability to conceive the whole world as a single family, it is India. If there is any government with the capability to deliver on the digital promise for the rest of the world, it is the Modi Government. It’s only a matter of time before the whole world will say “Modi hai to Mumkin hai”.
The author is BJP spokesperson, advisor to former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, and executive director of Maharashtra Village Social Transformation Foundation.
