Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address at the 'Summit of the Future' during the 79th UN General Assembly session in New York, underscored the critical role of responsible and safe tech usage. He advocated for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to act as a facilitator for global good, expressing India's willingness to share its DPI for the benefit of all. Modi's emphasis on balanced regulation highlighted the need for a global digital governance framework that preserves sovereign rights while ensuring integrity in digital interactions.
The Quad nations, echoing Modi's sentiments, also emphasized the importance of DPI in cultivating a secure, dependable, and interoperable digital environment. Their commitment to inclusivity, interoperability, scalability, security, privacy, and collaboration in developing DPI showcases a shared vision for a digital future that prioritizes public benefit, trust, and transparency. Additionally, recognizing the transformative potential of digital technologies, the Quad nations acknowledged how DPI could accelerate progress towards the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals.
The concept of DPI as a system of secure, reliable, and interoperable digital platforms, accessible to both public and private sectors for enhancing service delivery and fostering innovation on a level playing field, was elaborated in the document by the Ministry of External Affairs. The evolving nature of DPI calls for legal frameworks and rules that support fair competition, inclusion, innovation, and respect for human rights. It also underlines the necessity of robust cybersecurity measures and safeguarding fundamental freedoms to ensure that DPI deployment aligns with democratic values. Prime Minister Modi's call for a cohesive global response to emerging areas of conflict such as cyber, maritime, and space highlights the need for concerted efforts to address evolving security challenges in the digital age.