India to Collaborate with ASEAN Nations on Payment Systems and Digital Infrastructure

India plans to share its expertise in digital public infrastructure, like Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface, with ASEAN countries. This collaboration aims to tackle challenges in education, healthcare, agriculture, and climate change. A joint statement was released after the 21st India-ASEAN summit, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The statement also highlighted exploring cross-border payment system linkages between ASEAN and India through innovative digital solutions.

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The summit occurred amid regional tensions, including disputes between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea and the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. Both India and ASEAN expressed support for fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. They also anticipate an early conclusion of a substantive Code of Conduct in line with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

Strengthening Strategic Partnerships

India and ASEAN issued a joint statement on enhancing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, stability, and prosperity. This statement emphasized maintaining maritime safety, security, freedom of navigation, and peaceful dispute resolution. "The two Joint Statements we have adopted to strengthen digital transformation and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will lay the groundwork for our collaboration in future," Modi remarked at the summit's conclusion.

Both parties agreed to explore partnerships between national agencies for fintech innovations. They aim to support digital solutions, including financial ones. India's digital public infrastructure includes identity management through Aadhaar, payments via UPI, and data management with DigiLocker. Healthcare initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and e-sanjeevani for telemedicine are also part of this infrastructure.

Advancing Digital Economies

India and ASEAN intend to expand cybersecurity cooperation to bolster the digital economy. "As we gradually move towards growing digital economies, we shall endeavour to ensure the security and resilience of digital infrastructure and services," stated the joint declaration. They also agreed to collaborate on developing knowledge, skills, infrastructure, risk management frameworks, and policies for AI technologies.

The ASEAN comprises ten member nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. The summit's discussions reflect a commitment to fostering regional cooperation amidst global challenges. The focus on digital transformation underscores a shared vision for future growth and stability in the region.