India Explores Cybersecurity Partnership with Baltic Nations

India is poised to strengthen its cybersecurity capabilities through potential partnerships with the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has received an invitation to visit all three countries this year, where discussions are ongoing about establishing an Indo-Lithuanian working group focused on enhancing collaborations in cybersecurity.

Emphasizing Cyber Cooperation

The Baltic states are recognized for their advanced cyber-warfare skills, making them valuable partners for India as it addresses rising cybersecurity threats in the region, particularly from neighboring nations. The Chinese focus on cyber warfare poses significant challenges, prompting India to seek expertise from countries with a proven track record in this field.

Collaborations with Lithuania

Lithuania has already initiated a partnership with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This collaboration aims to launch nano-satellites, highlighting the growing technical relationship between the two nations. Laimonas Talat-Kelpsa, the political director of the Lithuanian foreign ministry, noted that multiple high-technology initiatives are under consideration.

One significant project on the horizon is Aadhar2, which is expected to be one of the largest biometric initiatives globally. It aims to eliminate duplicate identities, a crucial step as some government subsidies are linked to the Aadhar card. Artificial Intelligence will play a key role in this endeavor, ensuring efficient identity verification. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is coordinating this project, working alongside foreign firms from France, Japan, and Lithuania in preliminary discussions.

Strategic Innovations and Discussions

In addition to cybersecurity and biometric projects, Lithuania and India are exploring various technological innovations. A Lithuanian company is in talks with Adani Group regarding solar cells, which, while more expensive, offer higher efficiency levels and functionality in overcast conditions. If production scales up, costs may decrease significantly, making this technology more accessible.

The two nations are also discussing an access control system for the Tirumala temple, with the potential to enhance security and visitor management. Furthermore, smart water meters for new housing developments in Ayodhya are on the agenda, promising benefits for local residents.

Another proposal includes using Lithuanian tracking technology for waste management in Bangalore. This approach, although not glamorous, is considered necessary and offers the advantage of being free from Chinese components, positioning it as a strategically sound choice.

Conclusion

India's engagement with Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia marks a significant step towards bolstering its cybersecurity framework and embracing innovative technologies. As these discussions evolve, both nations stand to benefit from shared knowledge and resources, underlining the importance of international cooperation in facing cybersecurity challenges.