As India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term, and the United States, soon to be led by President-elect Donald Trump in his second term, look to navigate a transformative era, the potential for collaboration between the world’s two largest democracies has never been greater. Both nations, with deep roots in the principles of freedom and democracy, face shared challenges: combating misinformation, safeguarding free speech and ensuring that technological advances strengthen rather than undermine democratic institutions.
For American policymakers, opinion leaders and citizens, understanding the transformation of India under Modi is critical. Under Modi’s governance centered on digital inclusion, India has shown the world the role technology can play as a democratizing force. In line with America’s strategic interests, these two democracies can together lead the way in harnessing media, technology and governance innovations to uphold and advance democratic values.
Since assuming office in 2014, Modi has redefined governance in India by leveraging technology to drive inclusivity and efficiency. Initiatives like Digital India, the Unified Payments Interface and the Open Network for Digital Commerce have revolutionized how citizens access public services and interact with the economy. Modi’s 2047 roadmap for India aims to propel the country into a leadership role in the global democratic order. Modi’s third term builds on these successes with a focus on resilient and inclusive digital infrastructure.
This rapid transformation occurs against a backdrop of global challenges: the rise of authoritarian regimes, the erosion of media integrity and the weaponization of misinformation. To counter these threats, India is investing in technologies that secure its democratic foundations while positioning itself as a model for the Global South. India and the United States have already collaborated extensively on technology projects, focusing on supply chain resilience through the bilateral Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies and on emerging technologies through partnership in the Quad forum of Australia, India, Japan and the United States.
But there are still more opportunities for collaboration. The second Trump presidency gives hope to yet another point of technological convergence between India and the United States with the potential to strengthen democracy. Direct-to-mobile broadcasting, or D2M, is a new technology using the revolutionary ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard, is a case in point on geo-political convergence through transformative technologies for democracy. ATSC 3.0, also known as NextGen TV, is an advanced global broadcast standard that merges broadcast and internet technologies, delivering high-quality content and data directly to devices with greater interactivity. D2M, pioneered in India, transmits multimedia content directly to mobile devices without requiring an internet connection, making it an ideal tool for regions with limited connectivity.
These technologies have the potential to transform not just communication but also the relationship between governments, media and citizens. By enabling authenticated, real-time broadcasting, ATSC 3.0 and D2M can serve as reliable channels for disseminating accurate information and countering the spread of fake news. They can enable resilience against disruptions during times of crises such as natural disasters, cyberattacks or geopolitical tensions by ensuring uninterrupted access to vital information while overcoming internet-dependent vulnerabilities. They can further promote free speech through decentralized, direct broadcasting reducing reliance on monopolized platforms. By expanding accessibility, these technologies democratize digital access by reaching underserved communities and bridging the urban-rural divide. For democracies like India and the United States, these tools can be transformative in informing citizens and safeguarding public discourse.
Ongoing standards and technology development will further improve D2M, driving progress in emergency and disaster management, remote education, advanced agricultural techniques, service resilience, augmentation of satellite positioning and timing (as a terrestrial fallback to vulnerable satellite systems), vehicular communications and AI-based applications for broadcasting and datacasting. This assures broadcast applications and broadcast spectrum become part of the road map for 6G, the future standard of wireless communication.
As democratic partners, India and the United States also have a shared interest in media resilience and integrity. The digital age has amplified the risks posed by disinformation, deepfakes and algorithmic biases. By integrating ATSC 3.0 and D2M into their media ecosystems, India and the United States can lead the fight against these threats. A joint task force focused on media resilience could establish ethical standards and develop tools to ensure content authenticity and integrity in the face of relentless disinformation from foreign actors. India’s expertise in digital public goods and America’s innovation in frontier technologies create a natural synergy. Together, the nations can lead global efforts in defending democracy against foreign interference through secure broadcasting and misinformation detection. By championing democratic technology ecosystems, the India-United States partnership can offer developing nations alternatives to digital authoritarianism.
Modi’s India serves as a role model for the Global South, playing a significant geo-strategic role in not only counterbalancing authoritarian regimes but also shaping the norms and institutions that govern the digital age. The recent G20 resolution on Digital Public Infrastructure, AI and Data for Governance is illustrative of the role Modi’s India can play as a leader and as a role model on the transformative role of technology in the lives of citizens thereby renewing their faith in vibrant democratic principles. India’s embrace of open technologies aligns with America’s vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Joint investments in emerging technologies like hybrid broadcasting, AI-driven communication systems and next-gen connectivity can secure leadership in the global innovation race. By co-developing resilient and inclusive communication tools, India and the United States can set benchmarks for the world’s democracies.
As Modi and Trump embark on their respective terms, the potential for collaboration between their nations is unprecedented. By leveraging technologies such as ATSC 3.0 and D2M, India and the United States can address shared challenges while reaffirming their commitment to free speech, digital accessibility and the resilience of democratic institutions. The convergence of interests between Modi’s India and Trump’s America is more than a strategic alignment — it is an opportunity to lead by example in redefining democracy for the 21st century, crafting a shared vision of democratic and technological leadership. Together, they can build a world where democracy thrives, technology uplifts and freedom endures.
Shashi Shekhar Vempati is the former CEO of India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati and is a member of the Advanced Television Systems Committee’s Business Advisory Council.
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