India urges WTO to play ‘concrete role’ in bridging global digital divide, pushes DPI as a solution

World Trade Organisation

India has called on the World Trade Organization (WTO) to play “an active and concrete role” in addressing the widening digital divide between developed and developing nations, especially the least developed countries (LDCs).

The issue was raised during a dedicated session of the WTO's Work Programme on E-Commerce held in Geneva and virtually on January 28, which brought together representatives from over 90 member states.

In its submission, India emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to promote inclusive digital growth and championed the role of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in achieving that goal.

“There is a huge digital divide, particularly in terms of infrastructure, technologies, and digital skills, between developed and developing Members and LDC Members,” India said during the meeting.

India stressed that its own model of digital public infrastructure offers a replicable path for countries seeking to fast-track their digital transformation. New Delhi, said that DPIs have helped reduce operational barriers for businesses in India. .

India’s delegation also suggested that WTO members consider organising a thematic workshop on DPI under the Work Programme on E-Commerce.

Such a forum, it said, could facilitate targeted discussions, potentially enable technology transfer arrangements.

“We believe that the WTO should leverage its convening power to bring together relevant international organisations and stakeholders,” India said.

New Delhi, meanwhile, also said in its statement that the government has signed Memoranda of Understanding with 17 countries — including Kenya, Jamaica, Colombia, Tanzania, and Ethiopia — to share scalable digital solutions that have been deployed across its population. These cover areas such as digital identity, payments, and e-governance.

India’s interventions align with the mandate from the WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), which called on members to identify support gaps and advance discussions that promote digital industrialisation in developing and least developed countries.

No formal outcomes have emerged from the January session as of now. Moneycontrol has reached out to WTO with queries on the matter.