New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spotlighted India’s remarkable digital transformation, noting that the cost of 1 GB of wireless data in the country is now cheaper than a cup of tea. Speaking at the inauguration of the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi, he said this milestone reflects India’s journey from a technology importer to a global leader in digital innovation.
Modi said India’s democratic system, supportive policies, and ease of doing business have made it a preferred destination for investment and innovation. He called this the ideal time to “invest, innovate, and make in India,” adding that the nation’s digital public infrastructure stands as proof of its forward-looking mindset.
Highlighting the country’s rapid progress, he said India has evolved from struggling with 2G to achieving near-universal 5G coverage, making it the world’s second-largest telecom and 5G market. He also lauded the indigenous 4G stack as a major step towards self-reliance, placing India among a handful of countries capable of developing such technology. The launch saw one lakh 4G towers activated at once, connecting millions, including those in remote regions, to high-speed internet.
Modi said India’s affordable data and growing connectivity have turned the internet into a basic necessity. Once lagging in connectivity, the country now sets global benchmarks. He cited a dramatic rise in electronics production — a sixfold increase since 2014 — while mobile phone manufacturing has surged twenty-eight times and exports have grown 127 times. The sector, he added, has generated millions of jobs, with Indian firms now key players in the global smartphone supply chain.
Reaffirming his Independence Day pledge of a “year of big changes and reforms,” the Prime Minister said India continues to expand its reform agenda, including rationalising GST rates to make everyday goods more affordable.
Calling India a hub for semiconductor, mobile, and electronics manufacturing, he urged global investors and startups to tap into emerging opportunities. Stressing the importance of cybersecurity, he said new laws and accountability frameworks are being implemented to protect citizens in the digital space.
Modi concluded that India’s telecom and digital growth reflects the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, asserting that “this is the time to make in India, innovate in India, and lead from India.”
