India Calls for WTO Discussions on Secure Digital Public Infrastructure

Strategic Insights -

India has submitted a communication to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) urging intensified discussions on promoting secure and interoperable digital public infrastructure (DPI) to support e-commerce and prevent market dominance by major technology companies. This approach would help foster competition, expand opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and bridge the digital divide affecting developing and least developed countries. India has highlighted its own experience with successful DPI models such as Aadhaar, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), which have supported digital transformation domestically and are being replicated in countries such as Singapore, the UAE, Brazil, and Estonia.

Key Takeaways:

  • India has called for WTO discussions on promoting secure and interoperable digital public infrastructure (DPI) to support e-commerce and prevent market dominance by major technology companies.
  • The approach would help foster competition, expand opportunities for MSMEs, and bridge the digital divide affecting developing and least developed countries.
  • India has highlighted its own experience with successful DPI models such as Aadhaar, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), which have supported digital transformation domestically and are being replicated in countries such as Singapore, the UAE, Brazil, and Estonia.
  • India urged member countries to explore how the WTO and the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) could support global adoption of DPI frameworks and technology exchange.
  • India suggested that the TRIPS Council consider developing an online platform to facilitate technology sharing.
  • A robust digital architecture would be key to enabling developing nations to participate more meaningfully in international e-commerce markets.

Statistics:

  • India has submitted a communication to the WTO on promoting secure and interoperable digital public infrastructure (DPI).
  • The DPI models highlighted by India, such as Aadhaar, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), have supported digital transformation domestically.
  • These DPI models are being replicated in countries such as Singapore, the UAE, Brazil, and Estonia.
  • The TRIPS Council is being urged to consider developing an online platform to facilitate technology sharing.

Sources:

  • PTI
  • WTO
  • Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
  • Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from KNN (Knowledge & News Network)