India Urges WTO Members to Discuss Secure Digital Infrastructure for E-Commerce Growth

India has urged WTO nations to explore ways to foster secure and interoperable digital public infrastructure (DPI) for e-commerce. This initiative aims to prevent market monopolisation by large tech firms and boost MSME participation. The proposal also highlights the need to address digital infrastructure gaps that hinder developing countries' involvement in global e-commerce.

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The Indian communication on the WTO platform emphasises international cooperation on DPI systems. This collaboration could tackle digital access issues and the divide in e-commerce and intellectual property (IP) contexts. The focus is on how the WTO and the Council for TRIPS can contribute to resolving these challenges.

Digital Public Infrastructure's Role

DPI plays a crucial role in e-commerce growth by offering scalable, inclusive, and interoperable platforms for smooth transactions. It can significantly enhance the participation of developing and least developed countries in global e-commerce. India's digital transformation, driven by its DPI approach, includes initiatives like AADHAAR, UPI, and ONDC.

India suggests that the Council for TRIPS consider an online platform for technology exchange. This platform would support global efforts to bridge the digital divide, working alongside relevant stakeholders. The communication reiterates that DPI is essential for facilitating seamless e-commerce transactions.

International Collaboration on DPI Systems

The proposal invites WTO members to discuss promoting secure and interoperable DPI in e-commerce. This approach aims to prevent monopolistic market segmentation by big tech companies while encouraging MSME competition and participation. India stresses that international collaboration on DPI systems would address digital access issues in e-commerce and IP contexts.

India notes that the e-commerce agenda has seen limited attention over the years, with slow progress on TRIPS-related digital trade issues. Therefore, revitalising discussions on the relationship between DPI, the TRIPS Agreement, and the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce is timely and relevant.

Global Participation in E-Commerce

A robust digital infrastructure is crucial for increasing developing countries' participation in global e-commerce. India highlights its DPI approach's success in driving digital transformation domestically and in other countries like Singapore, UAE, Brazil, and Estonia.

"...we propose the following discussion points and proposals - we invite other members to...discuss how WTO Members can promote secure and interoperable digital public infrastructure and adopt the DPI approach in the context of e-commerce to prevent monopolistic market segmentation by big tech companies and to promote competition and participation of MSMEs in e-commerce," it said.

India's proposal underscores the importance of addressing existing gaps in digital infrastructure and technology access. By doing so, developing nations can better engage in global e-commerce markets, fostering more equitable growth opportunities worldwide.

With inputs from PTI