Modi pitches for global set of Dos and Don'ts for technology

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for setting up of a global framework and guidelines for digital technology in line with the aviation sector.

Addressing the joint inauguration ceremony of the India Mobile Congress and the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA), Modi said all the digital tools and applications operate beyond the boundaries and limitations of any country.

“No single country can protect its citizens from cyber threats on its own. We must work together, and global institutions must take the responsibility,” he said.

“We know from our experience, just as we have established a global framework for rules and regulations in the aviation sector, a similar framework is needed for the digital world,” he added.

Modi said that in just around two years India has emerged as the world’s second largest 5G market and is simultaneously working on the 6G technology. “We launched 5G two years ago at Mobile Congress. Today, almost every district in Bharat is connected to 5G services,” he said.

The WTSA, organised by the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is being held in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time.

Over 3,200 delegates from 160 countries are participating in the event, which will close on October 24, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said. The WTSA is held every four years to “define the work programme, working methods, and structure of study groups” for the sector.

PM Modi urged the ITU members to work more actively in designing the global framework for digital technology. “The time has come for global institutions to recognise the importance of this for global governance. There needs to be a global set of Dos and Don'ts for technology,” he said. He called upon the WTSA to take a proactive role in creating a secure digital ecosystem and safe channel for telecommunication. 

This year’s India Mobile Congress will witness over 900 use cases being showcased by 400 exhibitors and participation of 900 startups.