'India, US for close strategic cooperation on cyber issues'

India and the US are primed for close strategic co-operation on a full range of cyber issues, ranging from the ambitious 'Digital India' initiative to cyber security, a top Obama administration official has said.
"With our shared democratic values, robust economic relationship, and people-to-people ties, the United States is primed for close strategic cooperation with India on the full range of cyber issues, and we are eager to strengthen our engagement," Christopher M E Painter, Coordinator, Cyber Issues US Department of State told lawmakers yesterday.
"When Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi visited the US in September 2014, we agreed to develop closer cybersecurity cooperation and to reinitiate our whole-of-government Cyber Consultations, which we look forward to pursuing this summer," he said during a Congressional hearing.

Painter said the US sees new opportunities for engagement and growth.
"India is pursuing an exciting 'Digital India' agenda and is making progress on developing its cybersecurity capabilities," he said.
"Its dynamic civil society, private industry, and technology sectors are increasingly playing leadership roles in cyber policy issues, such as Internet governance," he said.

Painter said the US is also seeing leadership on cyber issues elsewhere in the region for instance, Sri Lanka is taking important steps towards becoming the first state in the region to join the Budapest Convention, which will enable it to be a strong partner in combating global cybercrime.

"Other states are still figuring out how to grapple with cybersecurity and cybercrime challenges, but they are increasingly aware of the economic opportunities an open and interoperable Internet brings and increasingly paying attention," he added.
Digital India initiative aims at ensuring the government services are made available to citizens electronically by reducing paperwork.