In a world where digitalization is reshaping economies and societies, India stands out as a nation deftly harnessing the power of technology to foster financial inclusion and alleviate poverty. UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis, capturing the essence of the nation’s transformative journey, remarked, “Let me say first of all that since I’ve been to India, every time I think of India, I think ‘Incredible India’. And I mean this in all earnest.”
President Francis, who leads the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, shared his insights in an exclusive interview with PTI at the United Nations. His visit to India, which spanned from January 22-26, was marked by a bilateral rendezvous with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi and excursions to the historic city of Jaipur and the bustling metropolis of Mumbai. During these engagements, he explored a myriad of topics such as sustainability, multilateralism, and digital public infrastructure with various government figures, civil society representatives, and think tanks.
The UN dignitary commended the use of digitalization in India, particularly noting how it has enfranchised millions into the formal economic fold with nothing more than a mobile handset and an innovative digital model. Such a leap has been particularly empowering for Indian women and farmers, enabling them to conduct transactions from the comfort of their homes or fields—be it negotiating prices, banking, or making payments.
All these measures are converting the Indian economy into a formidable competitor on the global stage, with Francis adding, “I think this is an area in which India clearly has a comparative advantage and has lessons that can be shared with the international community.”
The Assembly President also highlighted the vigorous investments in infrastructure he observed on his trip—a pivotal driver for economic growth. As new highways, rail, and monorail systems crisscross the nation, they do more than connect physical distances; they integrate markets, catalyze growth, and forge communal ties. But even as India pursues this infrastructural acceleration, President Francis underscored the necessity of sustainable development, especially in an era fraught with extreme climate events.
Sustainability, according to Francis, is not just an environmental concern but an economic strategy. Building infrastructure that withstands the trials of nature ensures that the economy is poised to recover swiftly from adverse events, mitigating job loss and reducing the need for re-investment post-crisis. This commitment to resilience will also be the focus of the UN’s inaugural ‘Sustainability Week’ from April 15-19—a precursor to the transformative Summit of the Future in September 2024.
Reflecting on India’s digital transformation, the changes are stark. Just over a decade ago, in 2009, only 17% of Indian adults had bank accounts, and a mere 15% engaged with digital payments, while mobile phone usage stood at around 37%. Fast forward to the present, and the numbers are striking: tele density at 93%, over a billion individuals with digital ID documents, more than 80% owning bank accounts, and an astounding 600 crore digital payment transactions conducted every month.
These figures are not mere statistics; they are testaments to an India that is evolving, an India that is embracing the future with open arms and an unwavering focus on sustainable and inclusive growth. The journey of Incredible India, as heralded by Mr. Francis, is a narrative of empowerment, digitization, and progressive infrastructural development, shaping a country that stands ready to share its lessons with the wider world.
