June 1, 2022, 2nd day of WSIS 2022, Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Minister of State for Communications, participated in the Ministerial Cycle Conference on ICT Social Welfare, Inclusion and Stability: WSIS Collaboration to Accelerate Progress -SDG. The session was organized next to the World Information Organization (WSIS) 2022. The WSIS is organized by the International Telecommunications Unions (ITU) at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland from 30 May to 3 June, 2022.Speaking at the conference, the Minister said with its unprecedented level and growing impact on everyday life, ICT today is a powerful tool for inclusive, resilient and prosperous communities. We need greater solidarity to move forward. The WSIS community, collectively, has the technology and resources to help us accelerate progress in the SDGs.
He further added that India believes in the Antyodaya system, which means the development of the people under the tower, the people who were deprived, living in remote areas and cut off from the great river. To improve reliable ICT infrastructure, 600,000 villages are connected by fiber optical cable. Through the use of satellite communication services and submarine networks, small and remote islands and other inaccessible areas are connected. Speaking at the High Level Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence, Shri Devusinh said, “India, as one of the fastest growing economies, has played a major role in AI transformation, due to its disruption and economic transformation.” ‘High-level dialogue from the lab to the real world: Artificial Intelligence and action for ten years’, was also organized as part of WSIS 2022 to discuss AI-related issues and related sectors.
Highlighted India’s National Artificial Intelligence strategy
During a high-level discussion on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Shri Devusinh Chauhan briefed participants on the policy plans undertaken by the Government of India to integrate this emerging sector. He highlighted India’s National Artificial Intelligence strategy which has created a way forward to use AI capabilities in various fields especially in health care, agriculture, education, smart cities and infrastructure, as well as smart mobility and transportation. The Minister briefed the forum on the various groups formed by the Government of India to develop the Indian AI stack and to explore opportunities to use AI for development in various manufacturing sectors and services. He also spoke about the official program known as ‘AI Gamechangers’ which focuses on driving Artificial Intelligence models in India especially for AI based startups in India.
The Minister expressed confidence that AI transformation will continue to grow and India will become a global AI base in the next decade as we try to integrate ICT and AI into the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors of the Indian economy. In the bilateral talks with Japan held alongside WSIS 2022 forum, Shri Devusinh Chauhan urged Japanese companies to be part of India’s initiatives in the telecommunications sector. The Japanese team at WSIS 2022 is led by H.E. SASAKI Yuji, Deputy Minister for Communications Coordination (International Affairs), MIC. ShriDevusinh Chauhan said India is one of the world’s largest telecommunications networks. Last year the Government of India announced major changes in the telecommunications sector to promote the growth of the telecommunications industry, promote healthy competition and improve broadband access and telecommunications. These changes will usher in a new era in the sector and will stimulate investment by the industry.
Shri Devusinh Chauhan said India-Japan’s cooperation in the field of Open RAN, Massive MIMO, Quantum Communications, Connected Cars, 5G Use cases, 6G Innovation will unleash the power of two elements that allow for the creation of the world’s best solutions.
Japan can be India’s knowledge partner
Recognizing the limited engineering talent found in India, the Minister urged the Japanese industry to consider establishing their own R&D centers in India. This can start with a small development and expand to a full development center to meet the global needs of parent companies. We also announced a new Semiconductor Policy. Below this we invite Japanese companies to partner with us. We are also looking to train 85,000 engineers in the field of semiconductor technology. Japan can be India’s knowledge partner for this purpose. Speaking at an international conference with H.E. IssaZarepour, Iran’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology next to the WSIS Forum, Geneva, Head of Delegates during the 2022 World Conference on Information, Shri Devusinh Chauhan said “In recent years our international cooperation has been strong and this should be done. We are committed to expanding our multi-sectoral and multi-sectoral relations.
The minister said we would like to know about Iran’s strong communications and IT sector and the first ‘App based’ ecosystem and suggest possible bilateral cooperation. To strengthen cooperation in the ICT sector in health care between India and Iran, the Minister said India is always ready to share the source code of the Co-WIN platform with Iran, as our true friend and partner.
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