Expressing concern over "extremely uneven" access to information and communication technologies, India on Tuesday said unless their use was made available to everyone the "digital divide" will continue to exist, hampering economic and social growths.
"It is a matter of concern that the access to and use of these technologies remain extremely uneven. This disparity - the so-called "digital divide" - is, in large parts, a reflection of deeper social and economic inequalities both between and within countries," Information Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi told the 6th Conference of Ministers of Information of Non Aligned Countries in Kuala Lumpur.
His speech was read out in his absence by P K Tripathi, joint secretary in the ministry.
He noted that India today had emerged as a global brand name in the world providing cheaper and high-quality information technology services and added that the prowess of the Indian ICT industry would significantly contribute to this regional initiative in promoting such cooperation, as well as towards the transfer of new technologies and know-how.
"We must consolidate mutual cooperation in this vital sector to face the challenges of globalisation and enhance our solidarity and prosperity," he said.
New Delhi emphasised that Information and Communication Technology could serve as a critical enabler to narrow these inequalities. "It has the potential to increase the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of government and business. We must understand that by making ICT an integral part of our development cooperation, we can more effectively address economic and social divides, Munsi said.
India urged the NAM to commit itself to reinvigorating collaborative actions between the member countries to harness the power of new technology as a critical development tool.
Munshi noted that though the total number of people with access to information and communication technologies was rapidly expanding, the 'digital divide' was real and represented a gross imbalance in the access to or use of information and communication technologies, especially in the developing countries.
"The spread of Information and Communication Technologies and their universal usage requires basic infrastructure and human resource development to support them.
The developing countries face a challenge in this field. Therefore, the importance of partnerships between governments in this field cannot be overemphasised," he said.
He noted that a vast stock of expertise and experience had been accumulated in the developing world through years of experimentation and investment in education, health, governance and economic reform.
Referring to the Nam News Network, India noted that there was an urgent need to harness information and communication technology to promote unhindered flow of information among the NAM countries. New Delhi called for the consolidation of cooperation among NAM countries and other developing countries in news dissemination.
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