India’s Digital Infrastructure Propels Nation 40 Years Ahead In Development, Says Kant In Optimism.

India has successfully hosted the first meeting of the G20 Digital Economy Working Group in Lucknow from February 13th to 15th, 2023. The meeting was attended by individuals from the G20 member countries and aimed to discuss the digital economy’s role in promoting economic growth, job creation, and innovation.

The First Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) Meeting, held under India’s G20 Presidency, was inaugurated in Lucknow on February 13th, 2022. The three-day long meeting was opened by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, along with Union Minister of Electronics & IT, Communications, and Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The programme was honourably attended by Union Minister for Heavy Industries, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union Minister of State for Electronics & IT, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Secretary of MeitY, Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Durga Shankar Mishra, and several foreign delegates.

The meeting, which marks India’s first DEWG gathering under the G20 Presidency, will focus on the digital transformation of the global economy. The participants will discuss strategies to foster innovation, speed up the use of digital technologies, and improve the cybersecurity ecosystem. The event will also provide a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to exchange ideas and share best practices on various digital initiatives.

During the inauguration, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh highlighted the importance of digitalization in driving economic growth and job creation. He also emphasized the need to leverage technology to improve governance and public service delivery.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw echoed the sentiment, stating that the DEWG meeting will provide a unique opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the digital space. The event is expected to result in a roadmap for the future of digitalization and serve as a stepping stone for the upcoming G20 Summit, to be hosted by India later this year.

A new exhibition highlighting the latest technological advancements in the areas of virtual reality, artificial intelligence and innovative solutions has been inaugurated. The exhibition showcases a variety of initiatives, including ASK AI, ASK GITA, AI Chess, AI in daily lives, Digital India Journey, Lucknow VR Tour, as well as several initiatives of the Central and State Governments of Uttar Pradesh.

Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma, delivered a welcome address at the exhibition, emphasizing the importance of the Digital Economy Working Group in promoting cyber security and digital competency. Sharma also focused on the need for the development of DPI in the digital economy. The exhibition aims to provide attendees with insights into the latest advancements in technology and digital initiatives undertaken by the Indian Government.

The Digital Economy Working Group meeting in Lucknow got off to a good start, with over 700 registered attendees and 36 eminent speakers offering their knowledge and views while you listen on the first day. The program was organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and was aimed at the discussion on methods to strengthen India’s digital economy.

The speakers, including industry leaders and government officials, covered a range of topics, such as the impact of digital technologies on the economy, cybersecurity, and the role of startups in driving innovation. The attendees had the opportunity to interact with the speakers and ask questions during the event.

The concluding remarks were given by Shri Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary of MeitY, who highlighted the importance of digital transformation for India’s economic growth. He encouraged participants to continue sharing their ideas and collaborating to drive progress in the digital economy.

The event was a collaborative effort by the government and industry to promote the growth of India’s digital economy. The discussions and ideas presented during the meeting are expected to inform future policies and strategies to promote innovation and growth in the sector.

The second day of the Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) meeting saw a promising continuation of the discussions on key priority areas, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Cyber Security in the Digital Economy, with active participation from G20 members, knowledge partners, and eight guest countries. The meeting was held virtually with Shri Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary, MeitY and the Co-Chair delivering welcome remarks, and Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary, MeitY and Chair of the DEWG, setting the context for the day’s discussions.

Sharma emphasized that the goal of the DEWG is to ensure that the benefits of technology are accessible to everyone. He highlighted the importance of Digital Public Infrastructure for Digital Transformation and stressed the paramountcy of resilience and cybersecurity of Digital Economy. Sharma also mentioned that Digital Skilling is necessary to bridge the asymmetry gap and create a future-ready workforce.

During the meeting, Troika members Indonesia and Brazil expressed their support for India’s G20 Agenda, indicating the growing importance of digital economies in global trade. The DEWG continues to pave the way for digital transformation and prioritize cybersecurity to ensure that the digital economy benefits all stakeholders.

India’s G20 Sherpa, Shri Amitabh Kant, delivered the keynote address at the event, where he discussed the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and its achievements. Shri Kant emphasized the success of DPI in promoting inclusion, delivering social services, preventing monopolization in the digital space, and ensuring security, privacy, and governance.

During the event, Shri Kant shared India’s suite of DPIs, which includes AADHAAR, MOSIP, CoWIN, DigiLocker, UMANG, DEPA, ONDC, ULIP, among others. According to Shri Kant, the effective implementation of DPI has helped India to leapfrog 40 years of development and progress, which was expected to be achieved in 47 years.

Moreover, Shri Kant highlighted that other countries can utilize the existing DPIs and build on top of them to promote innovation. This will help them achieve rapid development and progress in the digital space.
Shri Amitabh Kant’s keynote address highlighted the success of India’s DPI in promoting inclusion, delivering social services, ensuring security, and preventing monopolization in the digital space. The event was an opportunity for other countries to learn from India’s achievements and utilize existing DPIs to promote innovation and development.

The G20 summit was filled with informative presentations and interventions by important members, knowledgeable partners, and guest countries. Delegates also paid their respects to the victims of the recent earthquake in Turkiye. Shri Sushil Pal, the Co-Chair, delivered the concluding remarks for the day.

During the second half of the day, attendees of the meeting enjoyed a visit to the Bara Imambara, an impressive historical monument recognized for its architecture. This provided an ideal setting for the participants to relax and experience the local culture and customs. The day ended on a high note with sound, light, and dance shows that created a magical and unforgettable atmosphere for all present.

On the third and final day of the meeting, the focus shifted to the importance of digital skilling. India proposed measures to ensure a future-ready workforce that is equipped with the necessary digital skills. The other nations showed appreciation for the inclusion of digital skilling in the DEWG agenda and widely accepted India’s proposed priority areas. Discussions were held on three key priority areas, namely, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Cyber Security in Digital Economy, and Digital Skilling. The Co-Chair and Joint Secretary of MeitY, Shri Sushil Pal, provided closing thoughts.

The Chair of G20-DEWG and Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Alkesh Kumar Sharma, held a press conference to discuss the major takeaways from the three-day meeting. Sharma thanked the G20 members, visitors, and international organisations for their insightful comments on important issues.

The highlight of the meeting was the immersive digital mobile van that traveled to more than 75 destinations, providing over 120,000 people with interactive and immersive experiences on India’s digital transformation journey. An exhibition and experience center displaying virtual realities and innovative solutions also attracted approximately 18,000 visitors.

Sharma gave special thanks to the Uttar Pradesh Government for their excellent support in organizing the meeting. He also announced that this meeting was the first of four planned in India, with the next ones to be held in Hyderabad, Pune, and Bangalore.

Edited by Prakriti Arora