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India stands with developing world on 5G and data
Why is it in news?
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump came closer to resolving trade issues when they met in Osaka.
- But on technological issues such as data storage and 5G network, India placed itself across the divide from Japan and the U.S., and alongside leaders of BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa).
More in news
- BRICS statement: BRICS noted that-(1) It recognises the importance of the interface between trade and the digital economy.(2) It is committed to transparent, non-discriminatory, open, free and inclusive international trade.(3) Protectionism and unilateralism run counter to the spirit and rules of the World Trade Organisation [WTO].
- Counter to Japan’s initiative of Data Free Flow with Trust:
- The need for framing rules on data within the WTO and not at the G20, running counter to Japan’s initiative as the host of this year’s G20 summit, to push for “Data Free Flow with Trust, (DFFT)”.
- The initiative for free flow of data, announced by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in January, came after the Reserve Bank of India’s guidelines mandating that the storage of all financial data, including by multinational companies, must be kept on servers in India.
- The move sparked protests from major companies such as Google, MasterCard, Visa and Amazon and the U.S. called it a major non-tariff barrier, adding to trade tensions between the countries.
- New form of wealth: Mr. Modi is believed to have stressed that data was a “new form of wealth”. The U.S. and its allies would need to take into account “the requirements of developing countries” .
- 5G issue:(1) On the equally fraught issue of 5G technology, where the U.S. has demanded that countries ban Chinese telecom major Huawei’s 5G network because of its ability to spy on them, Mr. Modi appeared to have given Mr. Trump no assurances.(2) According to its 5G rollout plan, India is preparing to begin technology trials in September.(3) India has not yet decided on whether to include Huawei from the trials.(4) If India drops the company from consideration, Beijing has made it clear it would protest the decision strongly.
Source
The Hindu