India's digital transformation is deeply rooted in an internet that is open, secure, and inclusive, according to IT Secretary S Krishnan. Krishnan emphasized that India believes in an internet that is not only open but also resilient and inclusive, recognizing it as a fundamental component of the network infrastructure. He stressed the importance of ensuring the internet functions effectively and without causing significant harm, as it is in everyone's interest.
Krishnan's statements highlight India's commitment to leveraging technology for national development, particularly in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He views AI as more than just a technological advancement, considering it a crucial force driving India's transformation into a developed nation. To achieve this, Krishnan advocates for inclusive mechanisms that ensure people can access and benefit from AI in meaningful ways. The Indian government has placed "AI for All" at the center of its digital transformation agenda, guided by the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The goal is to ensure that AI development in the country remains people-centric, responsible, and scalable.
India is actively building Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), believing that it should be publicly owned on a not-for-profit basis and in an open-source manner. This approach allows businesses to build upon the infrastructure and grow. The DPI model has gained recognition worldwide and was an important element of India's image projection during the G20 summit hosted in 2023. This theme has continued to be significant for subsequent G20s hosted by Brazil and South Africa.
To enhance confidence in digital services and strengthen India's position as a trusted digital economy, the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act is being aggressively operationalized. Krishnan addressed the Digital Autonomy 2026 conference, emphasizing that the DPDP Act will enable responsible data-driven innovation while placing citizens at the center of the digital economy. He noted that the rules were developed with rigor and wide consultation, attracting a significant number of comments from stakeholders. The DPDP Act is principle-based, technology-agnostic, and tailored to India's socioeconomic and institutional realities while aligning with global practices.
India is pursuing a dual strategy that embraces global innovation while fostering sovereignty by boosting local AI capabilities. Krishnan clarified that India is not a closed economy and welcomes investment in technology. The government is incentivizing compute infrastructure located within India with lower rates and subsidies to ensure data remains sovereign and that Indian startups have a competitive edge. India's data, computing, and AI models will stay within the country, creating a foundation for sovereign AI capabilities while ensuring openness to global collaboration. This approach draws on the IT revolution's foundational lesson of world-class infrastructure driving innovation.