Permanent Mission of India
New York
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Universal DPI Safeguards: Guardrails to Accelerate Progress on the SDGs

“Opening and Country Showcases: India”

Statement delivered by Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations)
22 September 2025

I thank UNDP and Office of Digital and Emerging Technologies for inviting my delegtion.

1. India is pleased to share its experience in harnessing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to accelerate climate action and transform agriculture—two sectors at the heart of sustainable development.

2. As highlighted at the launch of the DPI Safeguards initiative in 2023, DPIs are not only instruments for financial inclusion but also powerful enablers for advancing the SDGs in general, provided their use is guided by safeguards, interoperability, and equity. India has placed these principles at the core of its digital journey.

3. In climate action, for example, India has leveraged DPI to build transparent, accessible, and inclusive systems for monitoring, adaptation, and resilience. Platforms such as the National e-Governance Plan on Agriculture (NeGPA) and the crop insurance scheme use geospatial data, mobile interfaces, and digital payment rails to ensure that millions of farmers receive timely insurance payouts directly into their bank accounts after climate-related losses. This not only enhances trust but also reduces the financial vulnerability of rural households to climate shocks.

4. India has also deployed digital tools for renewable energy integration. Platforms like the National Smart Grid Mission and solar rooftop monitoring systemsuse open data and interoperable standards, ensuring efficient energy distribution and enabling millions of households to contribute to clean energy transitions. By embedding DPI safeguards, India has reduced risks related to data misuse and ensured that digital systems serve communities equitably.

5. In agriculture, DPI has been transformative. The India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA) seeks to create an open, federated, and interoperable digital platform, or Agristack as we call it, bringing together farmers, agritech innovators, researchers, and policymakers. By linking soil health cards, weather forecasts, and market intelligence to farmer profiles, IDEA provides personalised advisories that improve productivity and resilience. Through Aadhaar-enabled services, farmers now access subsidies, credit, and crop insurance seamlessly, reducing leakages and transaction costs. Building on this foundation, the Government has approved the Digital Agriculture Mission to strengthen Agristack with dedicated funding and clear timelines.

6. India’s experience demonstrates that DPI can bridge the last mile, empower farmers with information, and safeguard livelihoods against climate variability. Yet, we have also learned that scaling DPI requires careful governance, safeguards, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. The adoption of the Universal DPI Safeguards Framework has reinforced our focus on inclusion, accountability and trust.

7. Most importantly, India has integrated the Foundational and Operational Principles of DPI Safeguards into its governance frameworks. These safeguards mitigate risks at all five lifecycle stages of DPI—design, development, deployment, use, and evolution. By addressing both emerging risks and long-standing structural vulnerabilities in the digital ecosystem, India has built systems that embed privacy, equity, and accountability from the outset.

8. As the Global South works to address climate and food security challenges, India stands ready to share its digital experience, co-develop solutions, and contribute to building resilient, inclusive DPIs that advance the SDGs for all.

Thank you.

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