'Today Whole World Is Using Made In India Mobile Phones': Highlights Of PM Modi's Speech At India Mobile Congress 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (27 October) inaugurated the seventh edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC).

The three-day IMC event is being held at the Bharat Mandapam convention centre in Delhi's Pragati Maidan, a venue that also hosted September's G20 Summit.

During the occasion, PM Modi also addressed the gathering at the venue.

Here are the highlights of his speech at IMC 2023:

Veiled attack on Congress

During his speech at the IMC 2023, Prime Minister Modi indirectly criticised the Congress party, referring to 2014 as a time of change when the people rejected outdated phones with frozen screens and elected a government that has brought about significant transformations in the country.

Modi took an aim at the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government, comparing them to outdated phones with frozen screens that would not respond to swipes or button presses.

He suggested that the previous government was also in a similar frozen state.

“2014 is not just a date, it is ‘badlav’ (change),” the Prime Minister said.

'Make in India' phones are now being used worldwide

PM Modi presented data highlighting India's transition from being an importer to an exporter of mobile phones.

He also mentioned that major tech companies, including Apple and Google, are now eager to establish manufacturing operations in the country.

"Google has announced plans to start manufacturing its pixel phones in India. Apple's iPhone 15 mobiles have already started being manufactured in the country. Today, we are proud that the whole world is using Made in India mobile phones," PM Modi said.

India aims to become front-runner in 6G technology

The Prime Minister said that India is aiming to become a frontrunner in the field of 6G technology, following the fastest roll out of 5G mobile network.

PM Modi also highlighted India's significant progress in mobile broadband speed, moving up to the 43rd position from its previous rank of 118.

Additionally, within just one year of the 5G roll-out, the country has successfully established four lakh 5G base stations, he noted.

Emphasis on developing stronger semiconductor manufacturing sector

PM Modi emphasised on the need to ensure success of both hardware and software technology by building a stronger semiconductor manufacturing sector.

He highlighted that the government has already started the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme worth Rs 80,000 crore for the development of semiconductor sector.

"Today, the semiconductor companies from across the world, in association with Indian companies, have started investing in semiconductor assembly and testing facilities," he said.

India's startup ecosystem

The Prime Minister emphasised that India’s startup ecosystem has made a significant place for itself in the world in the last few years.

“India has made a century of unicorns in fairly less time and has now become one of the top 3 startup ecosystems in the world”, PM Modi remarked.

Before 2014, the Prime Minister said that, India was home to only a few hundred startups whereas that number has gone up to approximately one lakh today.