Our DPI approach is just what the world was seeking

Source: The post is based on the article “Our DPI approach is just what the world was seeking” published in Live Mint on 31st May 2023.  

Syllabus: GS 2 – E-governance, International Relations.

Relevance: About India’s digital public infrastructure (DPI) approach.  

News: Recently, few global organisations have endorsed India’s digital public infrastructure (DPI) approach.  

What is DPI and how India is approaching it?

Which organisations have endorsed India’s DPI?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) agreed to assess, evaluate, and adopt DPI with an interoperable approach to digital inclusion to the extent possible. 

India and the European Union have agreed to take steps to accelerate the development and deployment of DPI in other countries in an effort to build open, inclusive digital economies and societies around the world. 

The Joint statement from the QUAD and G7 countries formally recognised the transformative power of DPI in supporting sustainable development and delivering economic and social benefits to the people of the Indo-Pacific. 

How DPIs are developed generally?

Digital services can either be developed by private companies or by the government. 

When private companies deliver digital services, their motive is profit and commercialization. They do not focus on a citizen-centric approach.  Further, leaving these services completely to private companies denies governments necessary sovereign control over critical government services. 

Whereas, leaving digital services completely in the hands of the government, results in a level of state surveillance that is unacceptable to most democratic nations. 

Why are various international organisations taking an interest in India’s DPI approach?

India’s DPI offers a better-balanced approach. It combines technology, markets, and governance to create large-scale digital ecosystems that are controlled by countries.  

This approach allows countries to have flexibility while also benefiting from the power of markets and private enterprise. The aim is to promote inclusive and competitive services for their citizens. 

Therefore, this kind of approach is usually looked at by the developing nation because they do not want to be left on the mercy of private players nor do they want to act as a surveillance government by solely taking up the responsibility. 

How will DPI benefit the nations?

By adopting the DPI model, countries can design fully interoperable solutions that meet their specific national requirements using secure, privacy-preserving solutions that is required for large population.  

The DPI approach will also enable countries to maintain control over the systems they build and have the freedom to adjust the underlying protocols according to their specific national objectives.  

Finally, the spread of India’s DPI approach will enable India to play an important role in leading and guiding the world and be a rule maker rather than a rule taker.