India Must Take Tech to the World, Says Scindia at IMC
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia urges IMC to evolve into a global platform, highlighting India's massive growth in broadband and 6G patents.
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has called for the India Mobile Congress (IMC) to evolve into a premier global platform, designed to showcase the nation's vast technological prowess to the international community. Speaking at the India Mobile Congress 2026, the Minister emphasized that India possesses the essential "manpower, mobility, and mindset" required to lead the next era of global technological advancement.
From Data Consumption to Global Leadership
Reflecting on the massive transformation in India's digital landscape, Scindia noted that the country has become one of the most affordable data markets on the planet. The scale of growth is staggering: a decade ago, India had only 60 million broadband subscribers, a figure that has now surged to over 1.1 billion.
“The first decade brought the world to India. The next decade must take India to the world,” Scindia declared, signaling a strategic shift from being a consumer of technology to a global provider.
The Rise of 6G and Domestic Manufacturing
India's ambitions are backed by significant intellectual property and manufacturing milestones. The Minister highlighted the achievements of the Bharat 6G Alliance, which includes 90 institutions and various global collaborations. This alliance has already secured 7,700 patents, including 4,400 international patents, marking a major leap in next-generation telecommunications.
Furthermore, the government's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have fundamentally altered the domestic manufacturing landscape. Within just 22 months, India has emerged as one of the top four global producers of technology equipment, thanks to the aggressive push for domestic production.
Digital Inclusion and the BharatNet Mission
Scindia underscored that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Digital India mission is built upon two vital pillars: the democratization of technology and ensuring that progress reaches every citizen, enterprise, and community. "Technology must serve every enterprise. Technology must serve every community," he stressed.
A central component of this digital expansion is the USD 15 billion BharatNet programme. This massive government-funded initiative is focused on strengthening broadband connectivity across rural India. The project aims to:
- Provide middle-mile connectivity to nearly 260,000 gram panchayats.
- Enable on-demand connectivity for an additional 380,000 villages across the country.
Global Recognition and the 2030 Plenipotentiary Conference
India's growing influence in international telecommunications was further highlighted by the recent success of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, which was held in India in 2024—the largest assembly of its kind held outside of Geneva.
Building on this momentum, the ITU Council has accepted India's proposal to host the Plenipotentiary Conference in 2030. Scindia noted that India's expanding partnership with the GSMA Board will serve as a "setu" (bridge) between India and the rest of the world, cementing the nation's role in shaping global telecom standards.