Developing India’s First Transformation Strategy

This chapter covers an in-depth case study of Bank-client collaborative practice. The Bank financed a study of India’s software export strategy when the industry was still in its infancy in 1990. The demonstrated impact of this technical assistance suggests lessons for collaborative and catalytic roles for aid agencies. Building on this breakthrough, I worked with local stakeholders on a proposal for the Bank to finance a comprehensive strategy and investment program for integrating ICT into India’s development strategy. The Bank refused to finance it on the grounds that India was not ready for such a “high-tech” strategy. A missed opportunity for forming an enduring partnership on digital development between the Bank and a pioneering country.