Dr Pemmasani Highlights India’s Vision for Inclusive Connectivity at WTDC 2025

Looking ahead, the Union Minister of State formally announced India’s candidature for re-election to the ITU Council for the 2027–2030 term.

 At a high-level Networking Breakfast held on the sidelines of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC 2025) in Baku, Union Minister of State for Communications, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, delivered a compelling address reaffirming India’s historic and future-facing partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

India’s involvement with the ITU—a United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies—dates back over 150 years, reflecting the country’s deep commitment to multilateralism, equitable spectrum governance, and digital empowerment.

A Legacy of Scale, Inclusion, and Technological Sovereignty

In his address, Dr. Pemmasani spotlighted India’s record-breaking digital achievements, underlining how India has connected more than 1 billion citizens to the internet, many for the first time, while ensuring these services remain affordable, open, and secure.

He highlighted that India today operates:

• The world’s largest biometric identity system, Aadhaar, covering over 1.4 billion people,

• The world’s most successful digital payment platform, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which now accounts for over 46% of all global digital transactions, and

• A robust e-governance backbone that delivers public services digitally across sectors, from agriculture to health to finance.

“India’s digital public infrastructure is not just about connectivity—it’s about equity,” Dr. Pemmasani declared, stressing that India’s approach to digital development is rights-based, inclusive, and rooted in democratic values.

South-South Digital Cooperation: India's Global Digital Solidarity Model

Setting India apart from conventional technology exporters, Dr. Pemmasani emphasized that India shares its digital tools and platforms with developing nations not for commercial gain, but out of a sense of solidarity and partnership.

Through its ITU Center of Excellence, India has trained thousands of ICT professionals from Asia, Africa, and the Pacific in:

• Spectrum Management,

• Cybersecurity frameworks,

• Digital governance and inclusion models, and

• Affordable telecom and satellite solutions for underserved geographies.

He reaffirmed that India actively advocates for equitable access to spectrum, a fair international governance model for space-based communications, and affordable broadband connectivity—especially in remote, rural, and small island developing states (SIDS).

India's Candidature for ITU Council and Leadership in Radiocommunications

Looking ahead, the Union Minister of State formally announced India’s candidature for re-election to the ITU Council for the 2027–2030 term. India, currently serving on the Council, has long been a vocal proponent of inclusive global ICT policy, and its re-election would enable the country to further champion the needs of developing countries and small economies at the global forum.

He also announced India’s nomination for the position of Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, underscoring the country’s readiness to lead innovation-led and future-ready spectrum governance on the world stage.

This nomination reflects India’s growing leadership in next-generation radiocommunications, including 5G/6G rollout strategies, satellite internet, low-Earth orbit constellations, and the global harmonization of spectrum for AI, IoT, and quantum communications.

Commitment to a Fair, Inclusive, and Collaborative Digital Future

Dr. Pemmasani concluded his address by affirming that India’s global digital engagement is grounded in transparency, collaboration, and a track record of delivery. He said that India seeks international support not merely through promises, but through sustained partnerships, proven platforms, and shared values.

“India stands ready to work with all Member States to ensure that the fruits of connectivity reach every citizen—no matter their geography, gender, or income,” he said, calling for a consensus-based approach to global digital governance.

WTDC 2025: A Crucible for Next-Generation Development Dialogues

The World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) is convened by the ITU once every four years to set the agenda for global digital development. With themes of connectivity for sustainable development, affordable digital access, and capacity building, WTDC 2025 in Baku has brought together ministers, telecom regulators, industry leaders, and multilateral organizations from across the globe.

India’s participation at the event reinforces its dual identity as both a digital superpower and a digital ally, equally committed to cutting-edge innovation and digital inclusion.

As the world looks to universal digital access by 2030 under the UN Sustainable Development Goals, India’s example—of scaling inclusive technologies, building open systems, and enabling South-South cooperation—offers a replicable and hopeful model for digital development in the Global South.