The United States, Japan, and South Korea collaborate to strengthen India’s digital infrastructure | Digital Watch Observatory

The United States, Japan, and South Korea collaborate to strengthen digital infrastructure development in India through the recently announced Digital Infrastructure Growth Initiative for India Framework, known as the DiGi Framework. The significant partnership seeks to leverage the strengths of three influential nations, with key financial support from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank).

The primary objective of the DiGi Framework is to promote private sector investments in India’s digital infrastructure by addressing the strategic needs of various projects. Targeted sectors include multiple technologies and services, such as information and communications technologies (ICT), Open RAN, 5G telecommunications, submarine cables, optical fibre networks, telecom towers, data centres, smart cities, e-commerce, AI, and quantum technology.

Additionally, the initiative aims to foster meaningful dialogues between the Indian government and the private sector to promote funding for digital infrastructure projects. The collaborative effort builds upon an earlier agreement signed in August 2023, emphasising the importance of coordination and cooperation among like-minded countries to support private sector investment in infrastructure.

By enhancing collaboration and communication, the DiGi Framework aims to create an environment conducive to investment and innovation within India’s digital landscape. That initiative signifies a strong commitment to enhancing India’s digital infrastructure, positioning the country for sustainable growth and technological advancement in an increasingly digital world.

Why does it matter?

With the support of these three nations, the framework represents a strategic move to strengthen India’s technological capabilities and improve connectivity, ultimately benefiting its economic development and resilience in the face of future challenges.