🇮🇳 India to Lead Global Land Reform Dialogue at World Bank Conference 2025

India Showcases SVAMITVA and Gram Manchitra Platforms in Washington D.C.

India is set to take centre stage at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, scheduled from May 5–8 at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington D.C., USA. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) announced that a high-level Indian delegation will showcase India’s cutting-edge digital land governance initiatives — the SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform — at this global forum.

The delegation is led by Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and includes Joint Secretary Alok Prem Nagar, Additional Surveyor General Shailesh Kumar Sinha, and senior officials from the states of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

Theme: “Securing Land Tenure and Access for Climate Action”

The World Bank Land Conference 2025 is themed:

“Securing Land Tenure and Access for Climate Action: Moving from Awareness to Action”
The event will bring together global leaders, researchers, development agencies, and policymakers to discuss modern land governance, tenure security, climate-resilient systems, and administrative innovations.

SVAMITVA’s Global Impact: A Game-Changer in Rural Land Ownership

India’s flagship SVAMITVA Scheme (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) has already made a significant impact:

Over 24.4 million property cards issued
100 million+ property parcels mapped
Over 1.6 lakh villages covered
Estimated land value unlocked: USD 1.162 trillion (approx. ₹100 lakh crore)

By leveraging drones and high-accuracy geospatial technology, SVAMITVA has enabled legal recognition of rural property rights, paving the way for smoother taxation, infrastructure development, credit access, and disaster preparedness.

India’s Role as a Global Thought Leader in Land Governance

India’s delegation will participate in two major sessions:

1. Plenary Session – Country Champion: India

Vivek Bharadwaj will represent India in the Plenary Session on “Good Practices and Challenges in Land Tenure and Governance Reform.” He will highlight how the SVAMITVA Scheme contributes to:

Women’s empowerment
Rural property rights
Efficient dispute resolution
Achievement of SDG Target 1.4.2 (secure land tenure for adults, including women)

2. Technical Session – Geospatial Planning for Climate Action

Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, MoPR, will lead a technical session on “Establishing the Land Foundation for Climate Action and Disaster Risk Management.”
He will showcase India’s Gram Manchitra platform, which uses SVAMITVA’s geospatial data for:

Village-level development planning
Solar energy site identification
Disaster preparedness
Infrastructure optimization

SVAMITVA as a Global Model for Digital Governance

India’s model has attracted international interest. In March 2025, India hosted an International Workshop on Land Governance with participants from 22 countries. The SVAMITVA Scheme received strong interest, with several countries expressing intent to adopt or collaborate on similar technologies.

US–India Trade Talks: Perception Battle Favours Washington

While India leads globally on land reforms, the trade negotiation front with the US presents a contrasting narrative. According to Ajay Srivastava, Founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) and a former trade officer, the US administration has dominated the perception war, placing India on the defensive.

President Donald Trump, now in his second term, continues to press for tariff reciprocity. He has accused India of high tariffs, calling it a “tariff king,” while pushing India to buy more American goods, oil, arms, and open its market further to Google, Meta, Amazon, Tesla, and others.

India’s Reality: Not a Trade Deficit Culprit

Srivastava argues the narrative is misleading. In truth:

India pays more to the US than it receives
Profits, royalties, and educational expenses (over $15 billion/year) tilt the balance toward the US
US tech companies enjoy free access in India
US arms sales add to US revenues but are excluded from trade deficit statistics

He cites a telling example:

A ‘Made in India’ iPhone sold in the US gives Apple over $450 profit, while India earns less than $25, yet the full $1,000 is counted as Indian export — inflating the trade deficit.

Trade Deal by Fall 2025: “Mission 500” Set in Motion

India and the US are working toward a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), targeting Fall 2025 for the first tranche. A bold goal has been set:

“Mission 500” — Doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030

India’s Cautious Stance

Srivastava warns that India must tread carefully:

Avoid broad Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) under uncertain global conditions
Opt for limited, industrial-goods-only pacts
Avoid being pressured into excessive concessions

India's silence and diplomatic restraint, he notes, has allowed Washington to shape the narrative — risking India’s long-term economic autonomy.

Conclusion

India’s dual role in 2025 — as a land reform innovator at the World Bank and a negotiator in tough trade talks with the US — reflects both its growing global stature and the nuanced challenges it faces. While SVAMITVA and Gram Manchitra showcase India’s leadership in inclusive, digital governance, the trade front demands strategic clarity and assertive diplomacy.

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