Introduction
India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)—built on foundational platforms like Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and the India Stack—has emerged as a global exemplar of inclusive, scalable digital governance. Inspired by the JAM trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile), these systems support identity authentication, digital payments, consent-based data sharing (DEPA), and digital public goods like DigiLocker, Diksha, and ONDC. With over 1.3 billion identities issued and billions in payment flows, India is now exporting these DPI building blocks to countries in the Global South. The effort represents a shift from internal innovation to global digital diplomacy, enabled by open-source features and international frameworks such as MOSIP, NPCI International, and “DPI-in-a-box” offerings.sahamati.org.in+3mint+3Business Standard+3National Economic Forum
Core Components Being Exported
Aadhaar & MOSIP (Digital Identity)
India’s Aadhaar program—the world’s largest biometric unique ID—is being offered via open-source MOSIP, which India has helped deploy in countries like the Philippines, and pilot projects in 16 other nations. These enable low-cost rollouts of national ID systems for inclusive governance.CSISETTelecom.comBusiness Standard
Payments Infrastructure (UPI)
UPI, via NPCI International, is being adopted across Asia and Africa—allowing real-time QR‑based payments in countries like Cambodia, France, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, and Thailand. This interoperable payments architecture has become a flagship DPI export.CSIS
Consent-Based Data Sharing (DEPA / AA Framework)
India’s Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA) and Account Aggregator (AA) protocol exemplify consent-driven data portability. These platforms are being positioned as models for consumer-centric data governance in new markets.sahamati.org.in+1ETTelecom.com+1
Public Services and Trade Platforms
Other DPI exports include DigiLocker, eSign, Diksha (education), CoWin vaccine-certification systems, ONDC, and Bharat Bill Payment System, all offered as digital public goods to governments eager to modernize public services.Business Standard+4mint+4Reddit+4
Export Models & Diplomatic Mechanisms
DPI-as-a-Service (DaaS) & “DPI in a Box”
Indian firms such as Google (via EkStep Foundation) and Protean Technologies offer turnkey ‘DPI in a box’ solutions—cloud‑based services that enable rapid deployment of identity, payment, and data platforms. These serve countries with limited IT infrastructure and expedited timelines.mint
Government-to-Government Channels
India has signed MoUs with countries including Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Antigua & Barbuda, Papua New Guinea, Trinidad & Tobago, Kenya, Tanzania, and Colombia. Multilateral forums (UN, G20, SCO) also facilitate DPI adoption and standards sharing.INFINITRIX NEWS+4Moneycontrol+4sahamati.org.in+4
Lines of Credit (LoCs) & Development Financing
India is exploring deployment of DPI stack technologies via Lines of Credit (LoCs) extended to countries such as Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Guinea and Togo—where DPI adoption pairs with credit-financed infrastructure projects.Reddit
Strategic Significance & Global Impact
Financial Inclusion & Economic Inclusion
India’s DPI provides essential infrastructure for inclusion: Aadhaar-enabled authentication, UPI payments, and digital service delivery can lift substantial populations into the digital economy. Countries adopting India‑style DPI see accelerated access to financial services and public benefits.Reddit+8sahamati.org.in+8Reddit+8
Interoperability & Innovation Ecosystems
Open APIs, open‑source code, and modular platforms allow local innovators and startups to build services atop DPI—with platforms like Beckn, ONDC, and DEPA becoming enablers of community-driven digital ecosystems. This democratizes innovation across geographies.Policy CircleFinancial Times
Digital Diplomacy & Global Leadership
India has used its G20 presidency and multilateral forums to promote DPI as a global public good. The Global DPI Repository (GDPIR) and “One Future Alliance” highlight India’s vision for interoperable, privacy‑aware digital platforms.INFINITRIX NEWS+1ETGovernment.com+1
Challenges & Governance Risks
Deployment Complexity and Institutional Readiness
Rolling out DPI in low‑capacity settings—identifying governance institutions, integrating legacy systems, and ensuring sustainability—remains a challenge. Critical building capacity, regulatory alignment, and change management are required in adopting countries.ForumIASCSIS
Data Privacy and Sovereignty Concerns
International DPI adoption raises questions around data governance: cross-border sharing, local data storage, privacy safeguards, and compliance with local laws. Ministers and civil society emphasize the need for robust safeguards in DPI governance.Wikipedia+2ForumIAS+2mint+2
Vendor & Governance Models
Public-private partnerships underpin DPI delivery—but transparency, accountability, and safeguards are still maturing. Reliance on corporate providers like Google/Protean demands clarity around licensing, vendor lock-in risk, and sovereign data control.Wikipedia
Opportunities for India & Global South
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Standard‑Setting and Soft Power: DPI exports deepen India’s influence via digital diplomacy, enhancing developmental cooperation and global technocratic leadership.
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Market Access for Indian Tech: Indian startups and e-governance firms gain global opportunity in identity, fintech, health credentials, and education platforms.
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Collective Learning Hubs: Through MOSIP and GDPIR, India can lead open innovation networks across the Global South, fostering shared learning, capacity building, and peer support.
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Financial Inclusion Multiplier: Strong DPI enables direct benefit transfers, credit access, MSME inclusion, and digital public service delivery across sectors and borders.
Recommendations for Scaling Export Impact
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Strengthen Digital Governance Frameworks
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Promote adoption of international standards for data privacy, consent architecture (e.g. DEPA), and DPI ethics across jurisdictions.
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Expand MoUs & Pilot Deployments
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Accelerate small‑scale pilots in countries across Africa, Latin America, South Asia—coupled with training, oversight, and developmental finance.
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Support MSP Capacity Building
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Provide technical assistance in data infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and systems integration, potentially via Exim Bank, NITI Aayog, or international agencies.
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Ensure Open-Source Principles
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Maintain open licensing (e.g. MOSIP), transparent documentation, and modular upgrades to empower local customization and avoid lock-in.
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Institutionalize Global Repository and Learning Platform
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Leverage Global DPI Repository (GDPIR) as a central resource for documentation, case studies, code repositories, and governance guidelines.
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Monitor Governance & Impact Outcomes
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Track metrics such as financial inclusion coverage, digital identity adoption rates, cost reduction, and service delivery improvements across partner countries.
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Conclusion
India’s journey from domestic innovation to global DPI exporter marks a paradigm shift in digital governance and diplomacy. By offering replicable, open-source platforms—identity via Aadhaar/MOSIP, payments via UPI, consent architecture via DEPA, and digital public goods like DigiLocker—India is shaping a blueprint for digital inclusion that resonates across the Global South.
This export strategy is not just tech transfer—it is a model for inclusive, interoperable, and privacy-aware governance infrastructure. Overcoming challenges in deployment, capacity, and regulation will be crucial. With continued commitment to open standards, global collaboration, and ethical design, India’s DPI exports can catalyse equitable digital transformation worldwide.