David Gross Appears on Indian TV Program, Discussing Information, Communications, and the Internet

September 23, 2015

In anticipation of the upcoming U.S. visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ambassador David A. Gross, chair of Wiley Rein’s International Telecommunications Group, was featured this week in a 30-minute television interview on Indian Standard Time. During the September 21 program, he discussed the nature of relations between India and the U.S. on issues related to information, communications, and the Internet. Amb. Gross, former U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy at the U.S. Department of State, explained that while historically the two countries have had a difficult commercial and geopolitical relationship, the dynamic has steadily improved since the 1990s. He noted the recent acceleration of diplomatic, political, and commercial ties, saying that current opportunities to work together are “quite strong, even unparalleled.”

Amb. Gross explained that while there are “tremendous opportunities” for technology companies to expand in the Indian market, there are still some obstacles, including what is sometimes a “disconnect between political statements and bureaucratic responses” for companies that wish to enter or exit the market.

He also dove into other aspects of the sovereign relationship, such as cybersecurity, the role of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, and the movement toward a multi-stakeholder process in Internet governance. At issue in the multi-stakeholder process, he explained, is whether the “rules of the road about the Internet” should be determined by governments alone or by a broader base of decision makers including technicians, academics, companies, and civilians, as well as governments.

The Indian government’s recent announcement that they are endorsing the multi-stakeholder approach for Internet governance has been “very welcome” from the standpoint of the global community, said Amb. Gross.

To watch the complete interview, please click here.