Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with members of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Board at Seva Teerth ahead of the India Mobile Congress. He called for making technology affordable and accessible to all, with a focus on inclusive and sustainable development.
Modi stressed the importance of democratising technology to ensure that no section of society is left behind. He highlighted the need to extend digital services to the last mile, particularly in the Global South, to prevent the digital divide from widening.
The Prime Minister also underlined the potential of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to support development, especially in developing countries. He said discussions with several world leaders had highlighted the growing global relevance of DPI and its potential to serve as a foundation for countries across the Global South.
Addressing the rising cases of digital and cyber fraud, Modi called for technology-driven solutions and suggested sustained awareness messages to alert users about potential fraudulent calls.
He also emphasised the need for global standards and common rules for emerging technologies. Expressing concern over deepfakes and AI-generated content, he suggested exploring mechanisms that would enable users to identify the origin of such content immediately.
GSMA Board members recognised India’s growing role in global digital and mobile connectivity. They highlighted the rapid expansion of 4G and 5G networks, the scale of India’s digital public infrastructure and the growth of its telecom and mobile manufacturing sectors.
The members also appreciated India’s investment-friendly policy framework and stressed the importance of secure, resilient and trusted digital infrastructure. They highlighted opportunities for greater international cooperation with India in areas such as 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital inclusion and satellite connectivity.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Communication, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of State for Communication, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, GSMA board members and senior officials of Government of India.
(Source: PMIndia)