Union Minister Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani calls for developing nations to lead global tech standards at ITU PP-26, highlighting India's $15B digital roadmap.
Bridging the Digital Divide: India’s Global Tech Strategy
At the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Doha, India has positioned itself as a central architect for the future of digital governance. Union Minister of State for Communications, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, underscored that the rapid evolution of 5G, AI, and quantum computing demands a shift in global power dynamics, where developing nations move from passive consumers to active architects of technological standards.
Strategic Investments and Digital Inclusion
India’s commitment to universal connectivity is anchored by a $15 billion investment in the BharatNet project. This infrastructure serves as the backbone for extending broadband to rural India, facilitating services that range from precision agriculture to digital banking. Key initiatives driving this transformation include:
- Samriddh Gram Centres: A WSIS Prize-winning model providing integrated access to healthcare, finance, and government services at the village level.
- AI & 6G Roadmap: Deployment of 100 5G use-case labs and development of indigenous language AI models to democratize access to computing.
- Quantum Research Hubs: Strategic investment in next-generation computing to ensure long-term digital autonomy.
Cyber threats do not respect borders, and neither should our cooperation. Learning from each other’s best practices makes all of us stronger.
Securing the Digital Frontier
Beyond infrastructure, India is championing a robust framework for international cybersecurity. During bilateral engagements with delegations from Malaysia, Iran, and Uzbekistan, the focus remained on mitigating cross-border digital fraud. By sharing its domestic experience—where proactive banking alerts have successfully prevented over ₹5,000 crore in financial losses—India is advocating for a collaborative global intelligence-sharing mechanism to combat cyber-criminality.
Reporting and source materials courtesy of Press Information Bureau.