Union Minister Anurag Thakur commended India’s digital initiatives, particularly the convenience of having vaccine certificates accessible on smartphones. He highlighted that this service is not yet available in other countries. Thakur praised the Indian population for receiving their Covid vaccine certificates through the CoWIN app, contrasting it with his conversation with Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who had to carry a physical copy of his certificate. Thakur emphasized that even economically disadvantaged individuals in India possess digital vaccine certificates on their mobile phones, a feat unmatched by any other nation.
Thakur expressed pride in India’s digital achievements, including the introduction of digital payments and certificates. He credited the collaborative efforts of officials and their valuable suggestions, which were considered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the success. Thakur highlighted how this inclusive approach allowed the government to provide essential services like gas cylinders, housing, and water connections to citizens.
In a previous meeting with PM Modi in December, Sundar Pichai praised India’s rapid technological advancements under his leadership. During a Google for India event in December 2022, Pichai emphasized India’s potential as a significant exporter and committed $300 million from Google to support Indian startups, including investments in women-led ventures.
Pichai emphasized the importance of balancing technological progress with safeguards for people. He called for an innovative framework that enables companies to thrive within a legally sound environment. Pichai recognized the current era as crucial for India’s emergence as a major player in the global economy and stressed the need to establish a harmonious equilibrium that promotes an open and interconnected internet.