Nobel Laureate Professor Paul Michael Romer praised India’s digital revolution as one of the most remarkable success stories globally, stating it has established a new benchmark for world powers. Currently visiting India, Romer, who also served as the Chief Economist at the World Bank, is set to be a prominent speaker at the two-day NDTV World Summit beginning October 21.
Romer highlighted a distinctive aspect of India’s digital transformation, emphasizing that South Asian countries could significantly benefit by emulating this model. He noted that India’s digital advancements have simplified lives and serve as a compelling example for other nations to follow.
In anticipation of his participation in the NDTV discussions, Romer commended the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for successfully expanding digital access throughout the country. He stated, “What makes the digital revolution here particularly interesting is its use by the government to benefit all citizens. This approach is quite different from most countries, where assistance typically reaches only a select few. India’s unique narrative revolves around providing benefits to everyone.”
When asked how India’s digital achievements could serve as a framework for other South Asian nations, Romer pointed to the success of online services such as UPI (Unified Payments Interface), Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), and Digilockers. He encouraged these nations to draw inspiration from India’s experience, believing they too can create their success stories without relying on wealthier countries, by tailoring initiatives to their local contexts.
Romer also addressed the impressive progress India has made in digitizing its economy despite relatively low online literacy rates. He has long championed technology as a powerful enabler of societal improvement. Reflecting on his advocacy for technology in the 1980s, he noted, “Technology can elevate living standards, as seen in countries like Singapore and South Korea. While some attributed China’s rapid growth to its size, in democracies, what truly matters is the country’s capability, ambition, and vision for progress.”
