World is using ‘Made in India’ phones today: PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 7th Edition of India Mobile Congress

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the 7th Edition of the India Mobile Congress forum at the Bharat Mandapam convention centre in New Delhi's Pragati Maidan. "The future is here and now," said the Prime Minister, referring to the fast change in technology, as he addressed the event. The India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023—scheduled from October 27 to 29—is Asia's largest telecom, media and technology forum.

PM Modi also said that the future of technology, to be led by the country's youth, is going to be unique. "We gathered here for the rollout of 5G last year as the world looked at us in surprise... India will lead the world in 6G," he said. 

The PM also said that any area is bound to gain hugely from the strong participation of the youth. "It is this gain that enables the country's youth to dream big and achieve them," he said. 

This is the time of India's "thought leadership", he said.

"Let's not forget that only 10-12 years ago, the phone used to hang every now and then... Even the government at the time was in the same position," the PM took a jibe at the previous UPA-led central government. "The government at the time itself was in a 'hang' mode... Restarting or recharging was of no use, which is why our government was given a chance in 2024," he said. 

"We used to import mobile phones at that time... Today, we are proud to say that the entire world is using 'Made in India' phones," he said.  

He also said that Indian startups have played an important role in recent years. 

The semiconductor mission is not only growing to meet domestic demand but also to cater to global needs, the Prime Minister said.

In December, the government established the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) as an independent business division within the Digital India Corporation. Tasked with the responsibility of catalysing the country's semiconductor ecosystem in manufacturing, packaging and design, the mission serves as the nodal agency for the efficient, coherent and smooth implementation of the programme for the development of semiconductors and the manufacturing ecosystem.

The PM emphasised the need to focus on cyber security and the safety of network infrastructure.

"It is important for the country to be self-reliant in order to ensure the safety of hardware, software and the value chain," he said. 

The India Mobile Congress initiative aims to harness the potential of 5G technology by promoting the development of 5G applications tailored to India's unique requirements and global demands.

By encouraging innovation across various sectors, including education, agriculture, healthcare, power, and transportation, the initiative propels India to the forefront of 5G technology utilisation.

Moreover, it plays a pivotal role in preparing the country's academic and start-up ecosystem for the upcoming 6G era, contributing significantly to the development of indigenous telecom technology vital for national security.

Speaking at the event, Union Minister of Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said the PM's vision was to democratise technology.

"It is the vision of PM Modi that technology is democratised and made people-centric, and also paves the way for the development of society. With this vision, PM Modi has transformed the telecom sector," the Union Minister said.

India Mobile Congress event provides a platform to showcase India's remarkable advancements in telecommunications and technology, making significant announcements and offering start-ups the opportunity to showcase innovative products and solutions.

With the theme of 'Global Digital Innovation', India Mobile Congress 2023 seeks to reinforce India's position as a developer, manufacturer, and exporter of cutting-edge technologies, including 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and aims to make critical discussions on issues related to the semiconductor industry, green technology, and cybersecurity.

This year, the India Mobile Congress has introduced a startup program called 'Aspire' to facilitate connections between startups, investors, and established businesses, promoting fresh entrepreneurial initiatives and collaborations. The event will host over one lakh participants from 22 countries, including approximately 5,000 CEO-level delegates, 230 exhibitors, 400 startups, and various stakeholders. 

With inputs from agencies