PM Narendra Modi Hails 'Made-In-India' Smartphones At India Mobile Congress 2024: 'Earlier, We Used To Import, Now We Manufacture 6x More'

PM Modi noted India's significant strides in mobile manufacturing, stating that the country now houses over 200 smartphone production facilities.

India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 8th edition of the International Telecommunication Union’s World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (ITU-WTSA) on Tuesday at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. This is the first time India and the Asia-Pacific region are hosting this prestigious event. After unveiling the digital plaque for the assembly, Modi toured the exhibition alongside Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

During his address, PM Modi noted India's significant strides in mobile manufacturing, stating that the country now houses over 200 smartphone production facilities. "In 2014, there were only two mobile manufacturing units. Today, it is more than 200. Earlier, we used to import smartphones from abroad. Now, we manufacture six times more mobile phones in India," the Prime Minister said.

You can check out PM Modi's live address below:

Commitment To 'Made-In-India' Phones

The Prime Minister also spoke about India's ambitions in the semiconductor space, expressing the country's commitment to producing 'Made-in-India' smartphones from chip to product. “From chips to the finished product, we are looking to give the world a made-in-India phone. We are also investing in the semiconductor ecosystem as well,” PM Modi said.

Modi connected the WTSA and the India Mobile Congress (IMC), set to be held soon, under the theme "The Future is Now." He highlighted the importance of both "consensus" and "connectivity" in today’s global landscape, underlining how these events aim to empower the world.

Reflecting on India’s digital journey, Modi referred to the four pillars of Digital India he had introduced a decade ago: affordable devices, comprehensive digital connectivity, accessible data, and a ‘digital-first’ mindset. He underscored how the telecom sector is driving equity and opportunity in India, going beyond mere connectivity.

WTSA & IMC 2024: What To Expect

The ITU-WTSA event will also focus on setting global standards for emerging technologies such as 6G, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and cybersecurity. Hosting this event allows India to shape global telecom policies, and Indian startups and research institutions stand to benefit from insights into intellectual property and patent development.

The India Mobile Congress 2024, Asia’s largest digital technology platform, will spotlight various advancements including 6G, 5G applications, cloud computing, IoT, and green technology. Over 400 exhibitors and 900 startups from more than 120 countries will participate, showcasing around 900 technology use cases. The IMC is expected to feature over 100 sessions with input from more than 600 global and Indian speakers.