The whole world will soon be using made-in-India smartphones, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi at IMC 2023

"We are proud that soon the whole world will be using made-in-India phones", said Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the opening ceremony of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023. He also added that till a few years ago, India was importing smartphones. However, as of 2023, the country isn't only locally manufacturing a majority of phones, including premium smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the iPhone 15 series, but also exports a large amount to the global markets. He added that India is now the second biggest mobile manufacturer in the world. The prime minister also reiterated Google's plans to manufacture the Pixel 8 series in India by 2024.

Modi also stressed the need for India to have strong semiconductor manufacturing, which he believes can eventually help the country lead the global manufacturing industry. He also restated India's Rs 80,000 crore PLI scheme that encourages OEMs to participate in the Make in India initiative.

India will lead the world on 6G

Further, in line with the general theme of India Mobile Congress, which is connectivity, the prime minister inaugurated 100 5G labs across colleges and educational institutions in the country. Modi also spoke about the world being in awe of the speed of 5G rollouts in India. In just one year after the 5G launch, there are more than 400,000 base stations, providing coverage to 80 per cent of the population and serving 97 per cent of subscribers. He also claimed that India will lead the world with the 6G rollout.

Modi claims that since the 5G rollout began in 2022, the average broadband speed has increased threefold. He added that in terms of global internet speed, India is now in the 40s, down from 118th spot.

PM Modi on cybersecurity

Prime Minister Modi also addressed the topic of cybersecurity, highlighting that even during G20 meetings, substantial discussions have taken place regarding the security of network infrastructure and cybersecurity. He emphasised that self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) plays a crucial role in enhancing cybersecurity and safeguarding network infrastructure. Further, he stressed the importance of engaging in dialogues to develop strategies for protecting networks from cyber threats.

India's potential for thought leadership

Prime Minister Modi discussed India's potential for thought leadership, acknowledging that the country has missed opportunities in the past for technological innovation. However, he expressed that now is the time for India to step into the role of a thought leader. India has already demonstrated thought leadership in digital payments through UPI and initiatives like CoWIN. With its youthful population and vibrant democracy, India possesses the attributes necessary to establish itself as a thought leader.