At the International Telecommunication Union – World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (ITU-WTSA) 2024, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, industry leaders praised Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership and transformative vision for Digital India. The event, marking the first time ITU-WTSA was hosted in India and the Asia-Pacific, brought together over 3,000 industry leaders, policy-makers, and tech experts from 190+ countries, driving discussions on innovation, digital governance, and global digital infrastructure.
Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm, lauded PM Modi for spearheading India’s digital journey, emphasising the shift from 2G to becoming the world’s largest data market. He advocated for AI’s transformative potential and the retention of data within the country to foster a robust AI ecosystem. Similarly, Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal credited the Prime Minister’s ‘Digital India’ initiative for revolutionising telecom infrastructure, stating, “India’s 4G revolution empowered millions, even in rural areas.” Mittal highlighted future ambitions, including 5G rollouts and Low Earth Orbit networks to bridge connectivity gaps.
Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla commended the government’s commitment to digital infrastructure and support for MSMEs through digital transformation. He emphasized that technologies like 5G, AI, and IoT will drive economic growth, with India’s digital ecosystem positioned for global leadership.
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Secretary-General of ITU, Doreen Bogdan Martin, acknowledged India’s leadership in digital public infrastructure, stressing the need for global digital governance. She emphasized the role of standards in fostering trust and inclusion, aligning technological progress with digital inclusion.
