Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, called for technology to serve as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development, asserting that the benefits of digital progress must reach every segment of society. The remarks came during a high-level interaction with the board of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) in New Delhi, held ahead of the India Mobile Congress.

Key Remarks from the PM

At the meeting, Modi stressed that the democratisation of technology is non-negotiable in an era where a widening digital divide threatens to exclude vulnerable populations from economic opportunity. He underlined that digital services must be both affordable and accessible — not just within India, but across nations in the Global South.

The Prime Minister placed particular emphasis on extending digital connectivity to the last mile, arguing that infrastructure without reach is infrastructure without purpose. He highlighted Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a proven mechanism to accelerate socio-economic development at scale.

India's DPI Model as a Global Template

'Discussions with several world leaders have demonstrated growing global interest in India's DPI model,' Modi said, adding that such platforms 'could serve as a springboard for developing countries seeking to expand access to digital services and strengthen their economies.' This framing positions India's homegrown digital stack — built on systems like UPI, Aadhaar, and DigiLocker — as an exportable governance model, a pitch the Centre has been making consistently at multilateral forums.

Tackling Deepfakes, Cyber Fraud, and Emerging Tech Risks

Modi also flagged the growing menace of digital and cyber fraud, calling for technology-driven solutions and sustained user awareness campaigns. He proposed that citizens be equipped with tools and alerts to identify and avoid fraudulent calls and online scams. On the fast-evolving threat of deepfakes and AI-generated content, he called for the development of global standards and common rules governing emerging technologies, suggesting that mechanisms to verify the origin and authenticity of digital content need urgent exploration.

GSMA Board's Assessment of India

Members of the GSMA board praised India's pace of digital and mobile connectivity expansion. They cited the country's swift rollout of 4G and 5G networks, the scale of its digital public infrastructure initiatives, and the growth of its telecom and mobile manufacturing ecosystem as standout achievements. The appreciation comes as India consolidates its position as the world's second-largest mobile internet market.

Broader Context and What Comes Next

The interaction precedes the India Mobile Congress, one of Asia's largest technology and telecom events. Modi's remarks align with India's broader push to lead global conversations on digital governance, affordable connectivity, and AI regulation — themes that have featured prominently at G20, BRICS, and UN platforms in recent years. The call for international standards on deepfakes, in particular, signals that New Delhi is preparing a more assertive stance on AI governance frameworks ahead of upcoming multilateral engagements.