A decade back in 2015, India took a pivotal step that redefined its digital future. During the 53rd session of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in Buenos Aires, India formally adopted the multi-stakeholder model of internet governance. This may have appeared technical to the world at large, but it was India's shift from a closed, government-dominated digital vision to one of openness, inclusion, and transparency.

Prior to this change, India's internet governance role was leaning towards the path followed by nations that are not normally aligned with democratic principles. A multilateral model -- centralised, government-controlled, and with little public or industry participation -- was the preferred option. This threatened to place India within a worldwide bloc considering the internet to be something to be top-down controlled, not a tool of empowerment, creativity, and people's participation.

But this path was not left untouched. Back in India, there were voices that protested against this vision of narrow possibilities. One such voice belonged to former Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who, since 2012, had been tirelessly promoting a more participatory and democratic internet governance model. Chandrasekhar initiated public campaigns, lodged Right to Information (RTI) applications to reveal the absence of consultation behind India's previous position, and wrote to policymakers calling upon them to think about a model that accorded equal space to government, private sector, civil society, and academia.

The outcomes were dramatic. When India stood up for the multi-stakeholder model at ICANN 53, it did not just join the democratic path—it adopted a vision of the internet that fosters freedom, inclusivity, and innovation. The move strengthened the pillars of Net Neutrality in India, guaranteeing that every piece of data on the internet would be treated alike, and no service provider could preferentially prioritize or throttle or block content at will. This shielded Indian consumers, empowered online entrepreneurs, and enabled the growth of the internet as a utility, and not as a privilege.

In some sense, this transformation was the cornerstone of the overall "Digital India" vision. The promise of an open and accessible internet made it a conducive space for start-ups, social enterprises, and digital learning. It placed India in the global tech discourse as a positive voice and leader, not a reluctant enabler. The dividends extended to governance, health care, education, and inclusion in the economy.

Today, ten years on, the legacy of that decision is as deeply pertinent. The issues have changed -- perhaps even worsened-- but the underlying values do not. India is now grappling with the tricky landscape of Big Tech power, from allegations of monopolistic behaviour to concerns around data protection and algorithmic discrimination.

The same values that framed the ICANN 53 transition -- openness, inclusivity, and accountability -- have to be reinterpreted in the era of artificial intelligence and predictive technologies.

India's role as a global tech policy leader is more important now than ever before. With the country moving rapidly towards realizing the vision of #ViksitBharat -- a developed, empowered India -- there is an increasing imperative to ensure that technologies in development serve all citizens. This involves dealing with issues of safety, trust, and fairness in AI systems, particularly those affecting everyday life, like credit scoring, hiring of employees, and tools used by law enforcement agencies.

Maintaining a free and trusted internet environment is no longer just about Net Neutrality. It is about protecting user rights in the event of bulk data extraction, disinformation, and the degradation of consent. It is about ensuring that India's youth, the largest digitally native population in the world, have the ability to utilize the internet as not merely consumers but as innovators and creators. And it is about making platforms, policymakers, and developers accountable for the technologies that they bring to society.

As India looks back on the historic decision at ICANN 53, it needs to remain watchful, active, and righteous. The internet is no longer a new frontier but a core pillar of our economy, society, and democracy. The decisions we take now will determine how inclusive, equitable, and empowering this space will be in the future.

A decade later, this choice to stand behind the multi-stakeholder model continues to be one of the most forward-looking and innovative positions India has taken on the international tech platform. It was a departure from traditional thinking and a step towards democratic digital leadership. It was an occasion when India did not merely catch up with the world—it led. As new challenges come to the fore, ICANN 53's spirit needs to be our guide to a future that is not only digitally enabled, but also digitally just.