Digital Public Infrastructure: India's Export to the World

What began as India’s domestic digital transformation is becoming a global export. Countries around the world are looking to India’s digital public infrastructure model—India Stack—as a template for their own digital development. This represents both a diplomatic opportunity and a commercial opportunity for Indian technology and expertise.

The India Stack Model

India Stack’s success lies in its approach: building open, interoperable, public digital infrastructure that enables private innovation. Rather than government monopolies or private platform monopolies, India Stack creates a middle path—public infrastructure with private participation. This model is proving attractive to other countries facing similar digital development challenges.

Global Adoption

Several countries are adopting India Stack components or the overall approach. The MOSIP (Modular Open Source Identity Platform) based on Aadhaar is being used in multiple countries. UPI’s architecture is informing payment system development elsewhere. And the overall India Stack approach is being adapted to diverse national contexts.

Technology Diplomacy

India is using its digital infrastructure expertise as a tool of diplomacy. Technical assistance programs help other countries build similar capabilities. Capacity building initiatives train foreign officials and technologists. And bilateral agreements facilitate technology transfer and collaboration.

Commercial Opportunities

Beyond diplomacy, there’s significant commercial opportunity. Indian technology companies are implementing digital public infrastructure projects globally. Consultancies are advising foreign governments on digital transformation. And Indian talent is in demand for digital infrastructure projects worldwide.

Adapting to Context

While the India Stack model is influential, it must be adapted to local contexts. Different countries have different regulatory environments, technical capabilities, and social structures. Successful export requires customization and localization, not just technology transfer.

Building Global Standards

As India Stack spreads, India has opportunities to influence global digital standards. Participation in international standards bodies, contribution to open-source projects, and thought leadership in digital governance are all avenues for shaping the global digital infrastructure landscape.

India’s digital public infrastructure has become a soft power asset and an economic opportunity. By sharing its experience and technology, India can accelerate global digital development while creating commercial opportunities for its technology sector. The India Stack model demonstrates that developing countries can lead in digital innovation, not just follow.