En el mercado Khan de Nueva Delhi, atul Mehra se mostraba optimista ante la posibilidad de que un acuerdo entre la Unión Europea y la India―el mayor mercado único del mundo, por un lado, y la gran economía de más rápido crecimiento, por el otro― reactive su negocio de gemas y joyería.El año pasado, perdió una cuarta parte de sus ingresos después de que el presidente de Estados unidos, Donald Trump, impusiera aranceles del 50 % a su país.
“Hemos sufrido pérdidas enormes desde la imposición de los aranceles; la gente en estados Unidos era nuestro principal grupo de clientes”, dijo a DW. “Y esperamos que un acuerdo con los europeos nos ayude a nosotros y a todos”.
Vishnu Gupta, propietario de una tienda de ropa en la misma calle y con negocios en toda India, afirmó que el acuerdo le permitiría ampliar su comercio y encontrar nuevos mercados.
Mientras que Estados Unidos ha dicho que los elevados aranceles buscan disuadir a la India de comprar petróleo crudo ruso, parece que la UE ha adoptado un enfoque distinto para alejar a la India de la órbita de Moscú: más comercio y vínculos más sólidos en materia de defensa.
En una cumbre de alto nivel celebrada esta semana en Nueva Delhi, se espera que la UE e India alisten un acuerdo de libre comercio y firmen una nueva asociación en seguridad y defensa, la tercera de este tipo entre la UE y un país asiático, después de Japón y Corea del Sur.
“A pesar de los argumentos de larga data a favor de una asociación más estrecha ―incluida la competencia compartida con China y los incentivos comerciales para ambas partes―, han sido la invasión rusa de Ucrania y los aranceles punitivos de Trump los que ha dado impulso a la relación”, afirmó Praveen Donthi, analista sénior del International Crisis Group con sede en Nueva Delhi.
La UE e India trazan un camino ambicioso
Table of Contents
Antes de la cumbre, la presidenta de la comisión Europea,
India’s Digital India Initiative: A Thorough Overview
India’s Digital India initiative, launched in 2015, aims to transform the nation into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The programme focuses on three key vision areas: digital Infrastructure as a Core Utility, Digital Delivery of services, and Digital Literacy.
Digital Infrastructure Growth
The Digital India initiative prioritizes the creation of a robust digital infrastructure to support widespread internet access and digital services. This includes expanding broadband connectivity, establishing high-speed internet networks, and promoting the use of mobile technologies.
As of December 31, 2023, the BharatNet project, a key component of Digital India, had successfully connected 256,928 Gram Panchayats (village councils) with optical fiber, providing broadband access to over 1.3 billion people in rural areas. BharatNet Project Details
Digital Delivery of Services
A core objective of Digital India is to deliver government services digitally, improving efficiency, openness, and accessibility for citizens. This involves the development of online portals, mobile applications, and digital payment systems.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), launched in 2016, has become a cornerstone of digital payments in India. In December 2023, UPI processed over 10 billion transactions, totaling ₹18.23 lakh crore (approximately $21.8 billion USD).NPCI – UPI Information. The DigiLocker platform, launched in July 2015, allows citizens to securely store and share digital documents, streamlining various processes like applying for loans or government benefits.
Digital Literacy and Skill Development
Recognizing the importance of digital literacy, the Digital India initiative includes programs to enhance the digital skills of citizens, especially in rural areas. These programs aim to empower individuals to effectively utilize digital technologies and participate in the digital economy.
The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) scheme,launched in Febuary 2017,aims to make six crore (60 million) rural households digitally literate. As of January 15, 2024, over 7.8 crore (78 million) individuals have been enrolled in the program, and over 5.8 crore (58 million) have been certified as digitally literate.PMGDISHA Official Website
Aadhaar and Digital Identity
The Aadhaar program,a 12-digit unique identification number,plays a crucial role in the Digital India initiative by providing a digital identity for citizens. Aadhaar enables secure authentication and facilitates the delivery of various government services.
As of January 27, 2024, over 1.34 billion Indians have been enrolled in the Aadhaar program,representing over 93% of the adult population. UIDAI – Aadhaar Statistics. The Supreme Court of India has affirmed the constitutional validity of Aadhaar,while outlining specific limitations on its mandatory use. Supreme Court of India – Aadhaar Judgment
Challenges and Future directions
Despite meaningful progress, the Digital India initiative faces challenges such as bridging the digital divide, ensuring data privacy and security, and addressing cybersecurity threats. Future directions include expanding 5G connectivity, promoting artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and fostering innovation in the digital space.
The government has allocated ₹7.5 lakh crore (approximately $9 billion USD) to the Digital India program in the 2024-25 budget, demonstrating its continued commitment to digital conversion. PIB - Budget 2024-25 Highlights
