Digital transformation would make India a digital leader globally: MeitY Secretary

India will position itself as a "world leader" through digital expansion and digital transformation would also enable India to achieve its climate goals, said Alkesh Kumar Sharma, secretary to the government of India, ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

He was speaking at 20th Foundation Day of the National Internet Exchange of India (Nixi) in New Delhi on Monday. “Digital transformation would allow the country to optimise resource utilisation, reduce waste and mitigate the environmental impact of activities," Sharma said.

It also holds the key to inclusive government, he added.


“By increasing technology we can ensure that every citizen regardless of their location or social background has access to essential services such as healthcare, financial services and education," Sharma said.

This, he added, could be achieved through various digital initiatives and providing affordable internet.

Sharma also pointed out the huge growth of startups and entrepreneurships in the country.

“Today there are almost 100,000 startups in India, the third largest and fastest growing ecosystem in the world, this was all possible due to access to digital payments, digital information, data and various platforms developed over a period of time," Sharma said.

Stating that digital transformation had many challenges, he said, “We must address issues of data security and privacy to ensure that no citizen is left behind or become a victim of cybercrime.”

To overcome these issues he said that the government was committed to a multifaceted approach through investing in digital infrastructure, collaborating with industry leaders and startups and privatising digital skills and education.