British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently held a bilateral visit to India, during which he was hugely impressed and inspired by the Aadhaar revolution in the country. The Aadhaar digital biometric ID system drew the keen attention of the British Prime Minister and London is aspiring it to replicate India’s Aadhaar model in the United Kingdom.
During his visit to Mumbai, Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the Aadhaar ecosystem of India as a “huge success” and asserted that he is considering it as a model for the upcoming digital identity programme of the United Kingdom named as “the Brit Card”. In India, Aadhaar is focused towards fulfilling the public beneficiary and other welfare schemes. The Aadhaar ID is aimed to deliver utilities such as LPG cylinder, insurance schemes and other government benefits.
On the other hand, the Brit Card is mainly aimed towards containing the illegal migrants who are entering the United Kingdom and who are seeking employment in the country through illegal channels. Infact, during his visit to Mumbai, Prime Minister Keir Starmer interacted with Nandan Nilekani, one of the key pioneers who conceptualized and developed the Aadhaar digital ID system in India. The 12-digit biometric based ID has been a kingpin in the Indian governance system and has been a key player in assuring transparency and accountability in administration.
The spokesperson of the UK government also reiterated that the digital ID system of the country draws lessons from the India’s Aadhaar system. However, certain technical credentials will be different from that of the Aadhaar and will be constructed as per the suitability of the British ecosystem. The main goal of the ID will also be aimed at combating illegal employment. In the recent times, the government of the United Kingdom is witnessing a large-scale anti-immigration protests, where people are frustrated with illegal immigration that they consider as a harm to British culture, society and development of its citizens etc.
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