New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology event, at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, asserting that the nation’s technological future is in capable hands and proclaiming, “This is the best time to invest, innovate and make in India!”
In his inaugural address, the Prime Minister highlighted the country’s monumental strides in the digital and manufacturing sectors, crediting the success to India’s tech-savvy youth, innovators, and a government that actively facilitates growth.
Modi emphasized that the India Mobile Congress has rapidly evolved to become Asia’s largest digital technology forum, a success story fueled by the nation’s talent and progressive mindset. He highlighted the government’s instrumental role, citing initiatives like the Telecom Technology Development Fund and Digital Communications Innovations Square, which provide funding for startups. The government is also financing test beds for cutting-edge technologies like 5G, 6G, advanced optical communications, and tera-hertz to accelerate product development.
“India Mobile Congress and India’s success in the telecom sector reflect the strength of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision,” the Prime Minister stated. He recalled how skeptics once mocked the idea of ‘Make in India,’ but the nation has responded decisively.
The Prime Minister showcased transformative growth data, revealing that electronics production has increased sixfold since 2014, mobile phone manufacturing has grown an extraordinary twenty-eight times, and exports have surged by one hundred twenty-seven times. This growth has generated millions of direct jobs, with one major smartphone company’s supply chain alone encompassing 45 Indian firms and creating approximately 3.5 lakh jobs.
A major indigenous achievement, according to Shri Modi, is the launch of India’s Made-in-India 4G stack, which places India among only five countries globally with this capability. He called this a significant step towards digital self-reliance, noting that the indigenous 4G and 5G stack will ensure seamless, high-speed connectivity for all citizens.
Modi informed the gathering that on the day the 4G stack was launched, nearly one lakh 4G towers were activated simultaneously across the country, extending digital access to over two crore people in remote areas previously lacking connectivity. He stressed that the Made-in-India 4G stack is also export-ready and will significantly contribute to achieving the ‘India 6G Vision 2030’.
Highlighting the need for a modern legal framework, the Prime Minister pointed to the recent enactment of the Telecommunications Act, which replaces colonial-era laws. He stated that the new law acts as a facilitator, accelerating approvals and Right-of-Way permissions, thereby enhancing the ease of doing business, encouraging investments, and accelerating fiber and tower network expansion. He also affirmed that cyber security has been accorded equal priority through stricter laws and enhanced accountability.
The Prime Minister observed that India, now the second-largest telecom market and second-largest 5G market globally, possesses the manpower, mobility, and progressive mindset the world is looking for. He highlighted that the cost of one GB of wireless data in India is lower than the price of a cup of tea, underscoring that digital connectivity is an integral part of everyday life, not a luxury.
In a call for greater global engagement, Shri Modi urged industry and innovators to address global supply chain disruptions in mobile, telecom, and electronics. Citing the world’s need for diversification in semiconductor manufacturing, he confirmed that work is underway on ten semiconductor manufacturing units across India.
The Prime Minister concluded by encouraging collaborative efforts between the speed of startups and the scale of established players, affirming that from manufacturing to semiconductors and electronics, “India is brimming with possibilities and energy.”
Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia and Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani were present at the inaugural event, along with other dignitaries.
