India Mobile Congress 2025 symbol of India’s digital self-reliance: PM

New Delhi, Oct 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology event, at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on Wednesday.

The four-day event, themed “Innovate to Transform,” showcases India’s growing leadership in next-generation digital technologies, from 6G and quantum communication to semiconductors and optical networks. Welcoming delegates, PM Modi said IMC 2025 reflects how India has moved beyond just mobile and telecom to become a global digital powerhouse.

“This success story has been written by our tech-savvy youth, powered by innovation and talent,” he said, adding that India’s technological future “rests in capable hands.”

The Prime Minister praised the role of startups and innovators in driving India’s telecom revolution.

He noted that government initiatives such as the Telecom Technology Development Fund and Digital Communications Innovation Square are helping startups build future-ready technologies.

“We are funding test beds for 5G, 6G, and advanced optical communication systems to enable Indian industries to lead from the front,” he said.

Over 500 startups are participating in this year’s IMC, showcasing innovations in financial fraud prevention, AI-driven telecom, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Modi said the event provides a valuable platform for young entrepreneurs to connect with investors and global mentors.

Modi underscored the government’s efforts to modernise telecom laws, referring to the new Telecommunications Act, which replaces colonial-era legislation.

“The new law is not a regulator but a facilitator,” he said, noting that faster approvals and simplified procedures have boosted investments and expanded fibre and tower networks.

He also stressed the government’s focus on cybersecurity, saying laws against online fraud have been made stricter and grievance mechanisms strengthened to protect both consumers and industry.

With over 1.4 billion people digitally connected and data costs among the lowest in the world, Modi said India has made digital access “a necessity, not a luxury.”

He pointed out that India is now the second-largest telecom and 5G market in the world, driven by “scale, skill, and a progressive mindset.”

“This is the best time to invest, innovate, and make in India,” Modi declared.

He cited the country’s success in building digital public infrastructure and urged investors to explore opportunities in manufacturing, semiconductors, electronics, and digital startups.

The Prime Minister called for closer collaboration among startups, academia, industry, and policymakers to strengthen India’s position in global supply chains.

Jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), IMC 2025 runs from October 8 to 11.

The event features over 400 companies, over 800 speakers, and delegations from over 150 countries including Japan, the UK, Russia, Canada, and Austria.

Union Ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, along with top industry leaders and policymakers, were present at the inauguration.

“The India Mobile Congress is not just an event—it’s a symbol of India’s confidence in its digital future,” the Prime Minister concluded, extending best wishes to innovators and participants shaping the next decade of India’s technological transformation.