India has urged member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to collaborate in reducing the global digital divide — the gap in access to digital technology between developed and developing nations, as well as between large corporations and small enterprises. Addressing this issue is essential to ensure fair and inclusive participation of developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) in the expanding global e-commerce ecosystem.
The digital divide refers to the disparity between individuals, businesses, or countries that have access to modern digital technologies — such as high-speed internet, e-payment systems, and cloud infrastructure — and those that do not.
Example: A company in the United States can sell online using advanced logistics, artificial intelligence, and secure digital payment systems, while a small enterprise in Africa or India may struggle with slow internet speeds and limited access to such tools.
India advocates for equal opportunities in the global e-commerce market. It highlights that large technology corporations from developed countries dominate online trade due to superior digital infrastructure and innovation capacity. As a result, smaller economies and enterprises face barriers to fair competition and market access. India’s intervention seeks to ensure that the benefits of digital trade are distributed more equitably.
During the WTO’s Work Programme on E-Commerce, India presented several key recommendations aimed at promoting inclusivity and cooperation:
Example: Such a platform could host best practices on digital payments, cybersecurity standards, or logistics solutions to support developing nations.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to foundational systems that enable secure and accessible digital services — such as Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and DigiLocker in India. These platforms provide the basic building blocks for digital inclusion by allowing citizens and businesses to transact, verify, and store data digitally. India suggested that other countries adopt similar interoperable systems to foster inclusive growth.
India and other WTO members emphasized several priority areas to bridge the digital divide:
Without equitable access to digital tools, developing countries risk being excluded from the rapidly growing global digital economy. By narrowing this gap, small businesses and entrepreneurs from countries like India, Bangladesh, and Kenya can engage more effectively in cross-border e-commerce, expanding trade opportunities and reducing economic inequality.
India has urged the WTO to take collective action to bridge the global digital divide that hinders developing countries and small enterprises in e-commerce. It proposed promoting digital literacy, enhancing public digital infrastructure, and creating a shared technology exchange platform. By emphasizing inclusivity, interoperability, and greater internet access, India envisions an equitable global digital economy that empowers MSMEs and reduces dependency on dominant technology players.
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