Opinion: India’s digital diplomacy in action
Tobago’s adoption of Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker reflects India’s strategic digital diplomacy to spur innovation in friendly nations
By Dr Ashok Gurram
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, showcasing India’s growing influence in digital diplomacy. The visit, part of Modi’s five-nation tour, saw Trinidad and Tobago adopt India’s transformative digital platforms — Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and DigiLocker — to modernise public service delivery, particularly in Tobago.
Also Read
Complementing this technological collaboration was India’s gift of a solar rooftop system, symbolising a shared commitment to sustainable development. This ‘Digital Diplomacy’ initiative, coupled with renewable energy cooperation, is set to reshape Tobago’s socio-economic landscape while strengthening India-Caribbean ties.
A New Chapter
During high-level talks in Port of Spain, the Prime Minister and his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart Kamla Persad-Bissessar signed six Memoranda of Understanding covering infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, education, sports, cultural exchange, and diplomatic training. However, the adoption of India’s digital platforms — Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker — emerged as a cornerstone of the visit, positioning Trinidad and Tobago as the first Caribbean nation to integrate UPI and marking a bold step toward digital transformation.
Persad-Bissessar emphasised the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Trinidad and Tobago is honoured to adopt the Indian UPI system and collaborate on India Stack tools such as Aadhaar and DigiLocker to modernise public services.” This move reflects India’s strategic use of digital diplomacy to foster innovation and development in friendly nations, aligning with its broader vision of sharing technological expertise globally.
The India Stack
India’s digital platforms — Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker — are key components of the India Stack, a set of interoperable technologies that have revolutionised governance and financial inclusion in India. Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identification system, leverages biometric and demographic data to provide secure identity verification, enabling efficient delivery of government services.
UPI, a real-time payment system, has transformed digital transactions by allowing instant, low-cost money transfers via mobile devices. DigiLocker, a cloud-based platform, enables secure storage and sharing of digital documents, reducing reliance on physical paperwork.
These platforms have been globally lauded for their scalability and impact. For instance, a 2020 report highlighted how Aadhaar and UPI have driven financial inclusion for over a billion people in India, attracting interest from nations like Singapore and Morocco. By adopting these tools, Tobago aims to streamline public services, enhance financial access, and reduce administrative inefficiencies, setting a precedent for digital transformation in the Caribbean.
Transforming Service Delivery
The integration of Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker in Tobago promises to revolutionise public service delivery. Aadhaar’s identity verification system can simplify access to government programmes, such as healthcare, education, and social welfare, by providing a secure, centralised digital identity. This could help eliminate inefficiencies, such as fraudulent claims, and ensure benefits reach the intended recipients, mirroring India’s success in streamlining welfare distribution.
UPI’s adoption is poised to transform Tobago’s financial ecosystem. By enabling seamless, real-time digital payments, UPI can empower small businesses, enhance financial inclusion for underserved communities, and reduce reliance on cash-based transactions. This aligns with Trinidad and Tobago’s goal of digitising its economy.
DigiLocker offers a paperless solution for document management, allowing citizens to store and share critical documents like identification cards, academic certificates, and health records securely. For Tobago, where logistical challenges can hinder service delivery, DigiLocker’s cloud-based platform could significantly improve accessibility and efficiency, particularly in remote areas.
Solar Rooftop System
In addition to digital cooperation, Modi announced the installation of a solar rooftop system at the headquarters of Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs. This gift underscores India’s leadership in renewable energy and its commitment to supporting sustainable development in small island nations, which are vulnerable to climate change. As a member of the India-led International Solar Alliance, Trinidad and Tobago stands to benefit from this initiative, which serves as a model for scaling renewable energy adoption in Tobago.
The solar rooftop system not only promotes energy efficiency but also aligns with Tobago’s environmental goals, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and fostering resilience against climate challenges. This gesture complements the digital initiatives, showcasing a holistic approach to development that blends technology and sustainability.
Opening Doors
India’s sharing of Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker with Trinidad and Tobago exemplifies digital diplomacy — a strategy that leverages technological expertise to strengthen bilateral ties and promote global development. By exporting the India Stack, India positions itself as a leader in digital innovation while fostering economic and social progress in partner nations. This collaboration opens doors for Indian IT companies to provide technical support and services, creating mutual economic benefits.
For Tobago, the adoption of these platforms could catalyse significant socio-economic advancements. Digital identity and payment systems can empower local entrepreneurs, improve access to education and healthcare, and enhance governance transparency. Additionally, India’s gift of 2,000 laptops to secondary school students in Trinidad and Tobago supports the digitisation of education, further amplifying the impact of this partnership.
The visit also highlighted the deep cultural ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago, home to a significant Indian diaspora, celebrating the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Girmitiya ancestors in 2025. Modi announced the extension of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to sixth-generation Indian-origin citizens, fostering stronger connections with the diaspora.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the adoption of Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker holds immense promise, challenges such as infrastructure development, digital literacy, and cybersecurity must be addressed to ensure successful implementation in Tobago. India’s expertise in scaling these platforms can provide valuable guidance, but localised adaptations will be essential to meet Tobago’s unique needs.
The solar rooftop initiative also requires sustained investment in training and infrastructure to maximise its impact. Collaboration with Indian experts and institutions can help Tobago build the necessary capacity, ensuring the long-term success of both digital and renewable energy initiatives.
India’s digital diplomacy, with Tobago’s adoption of Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker, signals a new era of digital transformation in the Caribbean. Internationalisation of India’s digital tools, coupled with the gift of a solar rooftop system, reflects a shared vision for technological innovation and sustainable development. This collaboration not only strengthens India-Trinidad and Tobago ties but also sets a global precedent for digital diplomacy in fostering inclusive, sustainable progress.
(The author is Assistant Professor & MURTI Faculty Fellow, Department of Political Science, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, GITAM (deemed to be) University, Hyderabad)
