Technological Development Must Be Inclusive and Sustainable: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with board members of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) at the India Mobile Congress held at Pragati Maidan. GSMA is a global organization representing mobile operators, the entire mobile ecosystem, and associated industries.

During the dialogue, the Prime Minister emphasized that technology should serve as a medium for inclusive and sustainable development. He stressed that access to technology must reach every section of society to ensure that no one is left behind. The Prime Minister specifically highlighted the need to make digital services and technology affordable and accessible for the 'Global South' to prevent a digital divide.

Prime Minister Modi described Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a revolutionary force for developing countries. He stated that discussions with global leaders have proven the relevance of DPI and that these platforms can become a powerful medium for the progress of the Global South.

Addressing cybersecurity, the Prime Minister mentioned the challenges of digital and cyber fraud and called for technology-based solutions to tackle these issues. He suggested running continuous awareness messages to warn users against fraudulent calls. Additionally, he emphasized the need for global standards and shared regulations for emerging technologies. Expressing concern over the threats posed by deepfakes and AI-generated content, he suggested developing methods that allow users to immediately identify the source of the information.

The GSMA board members praised India's leading role in the field of digital and mobile connectivity. They highlighted the rapid expansion of 4G and 5G in India, the extensive scale of DPI, and the growth of the telecom and mobile manufacturing ecosystem. The board members lauded India's investment-friendly policy framework and pointed out opportunities for international cooperation with India in areas such as 5G, 6G, AI, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, and satellite connectivity.

The meeting was attended by Union Minister for Communications Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of State for Communications Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Shekhar, GSMA board members, and senior officials from the Government of India.