India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) 2022 recently gained spotlight when it was addressed by the Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. Carrying the theme ‘Leveraging Techade for Empowering Bharat’, this event aims to carve the path towards digitization. It seeks to underscore India’s essential role in the global landscape by affirming its significance in molding international policy concerning internet governance.
Understanding IIGF
IIGF is a remarkable initiative that aligns with the UN Internet Governance Forum (UN-IGF). The latter is a collective platform that brings together representatives from various sectors, treating all as equals in discussing public policy issues related to the internet. The formation of IGF is a result of the Tunis Agenda implemented at the World Summit on the Information Society in 2005. Since its inaugural meeting in 2006, the IGF has been organized annually by the United Nations Secretary-General following the mandate outlined in the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society.
Deciphering the Current State of India’s Internet Connectivity
India takes pride in being the world’s largest ‘connected’ nation with a staggering 800 million users. With the advent of 5G technology and the comprehensive rural broadband connectivity project, BharatNet, the number is expected to touch 1.2 billion, marking the single largest presence on the global internet. India’s efforts in providing enhanced internet accessibility to countries in the Global South are commendable, particularly for those struggling with the pace of economic digitization and internetization.
Benefits of Internet
The internet brings about numerous advantages like improved productivity, financial autonomy, and increased access to information.
The Concept of Internet Governance
Internet Governance entails the creation and application of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programs that influence the evolution and usage of the Internet. This is achieved through the collaborative effort of Governments, the private sector, and civil society. It encompasses activities such as formulating technical standards, managing critical infrastructure, and addressing public policy issues including Internet Protocol Addressing, Domain Name System, Routing, Technical Innovations, Standardization, Security, Public Policy, Privacy, Legal Issues, Cyber Norms, Intellectual Property, and taxation.
Structuring of Internet Governance
Internet Governance operates on three primary layers; the Physical Infrastructure layer, the Code or Logical layer, and the Content layer.
The Stand of India
India is a strong proponent of the multi-stakeholder approach in matters concerning Internet Governance. The government retains the utmost right and control over issues connected to national security. The strength of India’s stand on this matter comes from its industry and human resources, which are key components of a multi-stakeholder approach.
Persistent Challenges
Despite the continuous evolution of the internet, there exist challenges like the concentration of digital power among a handful of companies and nations. Also, decision-making preferences often lean towards the supply side more than the demand side. These issues pose hurdles in the comprehensive and egalitarian progression of internet governance.
