The Union Cabinet has approved three separate memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Papua New Guinea, France, and Trinidad and Tobago in the field of digital technologies. The MoUs aim to promote closer cooperation and exchange of information pertaining to digital technologies, and to mutually support each participant’s goal to promote access to digital technology in their countries.
MoU with France on digital technologies
The MoU with France intends to enhance bilateral cooperation in digital technologies in the government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business (B2B) domains. The MoU was signed between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) of India and the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty of France.
The MoU envisages improved collaboration, leading to employment opportunities in the field of IT. The cooperation under this MoU will start on the date of its signature by both participants and will last for five years.
MoU with Papua New Guinea on digital solutions
The MoU with Papua New Guinea aims to promote closer cooperation and exchange of experiences and digital technologies-based solutions (such as India Stack) in the implementation of digital transformational initiatives of both the countries. The MoU was signed on July 28, 2023, between Meity and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology of Papua New Guinea.
India Stack is a set of technology tools like Aadhaar, UPI, and Cowin that have been opened for their adoption in other countries. The MoU shall come into effect from the date of signature of the parties and shall remain in force for a period of three years.
MoU with Trinidad and Tobago on digital transformation
The MoU with Trinidad and Tobago is similar to the one with Papua New Guinea, as it also intends to promote India Stack as a tool for digital transformation in the Caribbean nation. The MoU was signed between Meity and the Ministry of Digital Transformation Technology of Trinidad and Tobago.
The MoU will facilitate sharing of best practices, experiences, and knowledge on e-governance, digital economy, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and capacity building. The MoU will also enable joint projects, research, innovation, and startups in the field of digital technologies.
Significance of the MoUs
The MoUs are expected to boost India’s global standing as a leader in digital technologies and innovation. They will also strengthen India’s ties with the three countries in various sectors such as trade, commerce, education, health, agriculture, and tourism.
The MoUs are in line with Meity’s mandate to promote international cooperation in the emerging and frontier areas of information technology under a bilateral and regional framework of cooperation. They will also contribute to the vision of Digital India, which aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
