Says “No section of society should be left behind by rapid pace of digital transformation”
“Technology-driven solutions essential to tackle cyber, digital fraud”
New Delhi|Oct, 6 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for technology to become a powerful instrument of inclusive and sustainable development, stressing that digital services must remain affordable, accessible and available to the last mile as India seeks a greater role in shaping the global digital future.
Interacting with members of the Board of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) at Seva Teerth in New Delhi ahead of the India Mobile Congress, Modi said no section of society should be left behind by the rapid pace of digital transformation. The interaction focused on India’s expanding digital and mobile ecosystem, the global potential of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), cybersecurity and digital fraud, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, as well as international cooperation in 5G, 6G and satellite connectivity. The Prime Minister emphasised the need to democratise technology and ensure that digital progress does not deepen existing inequalities.
He underlined the importance of making technology and digital services affordable and accessible, particularly for countries of the Global South, and taking digital solutions to the last mile. Modi also highlighted the growing international interest in India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, describing it as a potentially transformative model for developing countries. He said his discussions with several world leaders on DPI had demonstrated the increasing global interest in India’s experience and suggested that such platforms could provide a springboard for countries across the Global South to accelerate inclusive digital development. Cybersecurity and the rising threat of digital fraud figured prominently in the discussions.
Modi stressed that technology-driven solutions would be essential to tackle cyber and digital fraud and called for sustained awareness campaigns to alert users to fraudulent calls and other forms of digital deception. On artificial intelligence and other rapidly evolving technologies, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of developing global standards and common rules. Referring to the growing threat posed by deepfakes and AI-generated content, he suggested exploring mechanisms that could enable users to immediately identify the origin of digitally generated or manipulated content. The issue has assumed increasing significance with the rapid spread of generative AI and the growing sophistication of synthetic content, raising concerns over misinformation, digital trust and the ability of users to distinguish authentic material from manipulated or AI-generated content.
GSMA Board members, according to the Prime Minister’s Office, highlighted India’s emergence as a major global force in digital and mobile connectivity and acknowledged the country’s rapid expansion of 4G and 5G networks, the scale of its Digital Public Infrastructure and the growth of its telecom and mobile manufacturing ecosystem. Representatives of leading global telecom companies also appreciated India’s investment-friendly policy framework and stressed the importance of secure, resilient and trusted digital infrastructure in sustaining the country’s digital growth. They identified significant opportunities for deeper international cooperation with India in 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital inclusion and satellite connectivity. The engagement comes as India prepares for the India Mobile Congress, one of the country’s major platforms for showcasing developments in telecommunications, mobile technology and the wider digital economy.
The interaction with GSMA Board members underscores the government’s effort to position India not only as one of the world’s largest markets for next-generation digital technologies but also as an active partner in shaping global technology standards, infrastructure and digital policy. The discussions also come at a time when the global telecom industry is preparing for the transition towards next-generation connectivity, including 6G, while grappling with challenges ranging from cybersecurity and digital fraud to artificial intelligence, digital trust and unequal access to technology.
The GSMA is a global organisation representing the mobile ecosystem, bringing together mobile operators and organisations across the wider mobile and adjacent technology industries. Its engagement with India assumes significance as the country seeks to leverage its vast digital ecosystem, telecom infrastructure and technology capabilities to deepen international partnerships and contribute to the evolution of the global digital landscape.
The meeting was attended by union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, members of the GSMA Board and senior officials of the Government of India.
