Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that as cyber crimes increase across the world, there should be a global framework and urged governments, technology companies, and global telcos to create mechanism to curb digital frauds.
Inaugurating the tenth edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026, Modi said as telecom has become so important in our lives, the security measures have become vital.
“I urge the GSMA and telecom operators across the world: come, let us create a global mechanism that can stop such fraud before it reaches the people. India has learnt a lot from its experiences in this direction, and India is always ready to share its experiences with the world,” he said.
Technology can achieve scale only when it gains people’s trust, he noted.
“A person sitting in one country, with the help of a person in another country, can commit a crime in a third country,” Modi said adding that deepfakes have become a big challenge across the world.
Tracing the remarkable evolution of digital connectivity through the lens of the India Mobile Congress, the Prime Minister recalled launching 5G from the very same stage in 2022 and predicting its massive expansion in 2023. He announced that 5G networks, now operating from over 5.5 lakh base stations, have successfully reached every single district, boosting Internet speeds tenfold.
He said the ‘Reform Express’ was moving rapidly in the telecom sector, with decades-old laws being modernised and a modern regulatory framework created through the Telecommunications Act.
“Work is also being done from our side to rationalise structural burdens such as AGR (adjusted gross revenue) and bank guarantees, to turn burdens into wonders,” Modi said adding that the GatiShakti Sanchar Portal has made right-of-way approvals faster through digital means.
He said the IMC had an important role to play in shaping the roadmap for the next decade of the mobile market, not just in India but globally.
“IMC should be remembered for the partnerships that were forged here, for the research projects that commenced here, for the products that reached the world from here, and for the innovations that emerged from India to serve humanity,” he said.
Meanwhile, focusing on the strategic horizon, Modi reminded the delegates that with only four years left in the current decade, their immediate summit discussions will forge the crucial roadmap guiding the global mobile market into the future. He framed the event as a pivotal planning ground for the next era of technological dominance.
“This roadmap will give direction to the mobile market of the entire world along with India,” he noted.
The Prime Minister also declared that the nation has successfully transitioned from a consumer to a creator, and is now aggressively charging toward complete domestic control over product design, underlying technology, and intellectual property.
Organised jointly by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), IMC 2026 centres on the theme ‘Scale Without Boundaries’, highlighting India’s growing mettle in digital innovation, next-generation connectivity and technology-led growth.
Reacting to the PM’s statements, S P Kochar, Director General, COAI, said India’s robust digital infrastructure has created a strong foundation for a future driven by connectivity, AI, 6G and emerging technologies.
“As technology becomes more pervasive, building awareness around risks such as deepfakes and ensuring trust, safety and responsible innovation will be equally critical. The next decade is about taking India’s digital journey from scale to global impact, positioning the country as a creator and trusted technology leader for the world,” Kochar said.
Published on October 8, 2026
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