NEW DELHI (TIP): Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg today hosted a luncheon meeting with political and industry leaders to discuss various matters, including the controversial issue of net neutrality and zero-rating.

Those present at the meeting included DIPP Secretary Amitabh Kant, Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT Chairman Anurag Thakur, Department of Telecom Secretary Rakesh Garg, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’ Brien, Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrasekhar and FICCI Secretary General A Didar Singh.

“Amongst the issues that were discussed were the role of technology, regulation and policy in accelerating access to the internet… Specific issues and concerns relating to Net Neutrality and Zero Rating, as well as Internet.org and Free Basics (were also discussed),” Mr Singh said.

He added that discussions also revolved around social media and eGovernance.

Facebook and Free Basics (earlier called Internet.org), an initiative by the company to provide free basic Internet access to the developing world, has faced backlash with activists alleging that it violates net neutrality.

The principle of net neutrality states that no priority should be accorded to an entity in Internet traffic flow on account of payments to service providers like telecom companies.

“Mark Zuckerberg responded to most of the queries while expressing his deep commitment to India and to the issue of affordable access for the next billion citizens, nearly 250 million of which will come from India,” Mr Singh said.

India is home to 300 million Internet users but also has the largest “unconnected” population (one billion) (without access to internet).

“He (Zuckerberg) stated that, amongst all the countries in the world, India with a billion unconnected has the best possibility of aligning a best in class regulatory environment to ensure access to its citizens. No single country can boast of such an opportunity,” Mr Singh said.

After the meeting, Mr Kant posted a selfie on Facebook and microblogging site Twitter with the young billionaire.

“A fascinating interaction and a selfie with Mark Zuckerberg at the round table on ‘Bringing the next billion online’,” he wrote.

Mr O’Brien also tweeted about the luncheon meeting. “Mark Zuckerberg hosted a working lunch for a group of 12 incl 3 MPs. Frank chat on #netneutrality & other issues. Then a 10 min one-on-one,” read his tweet.