“Technology achieves scale only when it gains trust. And you all know that cyber fraud and cyber crimes do not respect borders.

They have already crossed boundaries,” Modi said, while addressing the India Mobile Congress 2026. Modi also flagged the growing challenge posed by deepfakes and said countries needed to work together on a global framework to address such emerging threats.

“Therefore, it is necessary that we work on a global framework for this. Governments, technology companies, telecom operators, and financial institutions, all will need to connect with this framework.

I urge the GSMA and telecom operators across the world - come, let us create a global mechanism that can stop such fraud before it reaches the people,” Modi said. The GSMA is a global organisation representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and related industries.

Modi said strengthening security frameworks around telecom and digital technologies is equally crucial to their rapid expansion, with phone and network security becoming increasingly important. He also highlighted India’s experience with digital governance, saying Direct Benefit Transfer had enabled nearly Rs 50 lakh crore to be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ mobile-linked bank accounts.

He said nearly Rs 5 lakh crore had been saved from going into the “wrong hands”. Modi asserted that he is determined to stop “wrong practices”.

“Now tell me, those whose ill-gotten income has stopped, will they love Modi? Did I do the right thing or not?

Should it be done or not? Should all these wrong practices be stopped or not?

No matter how much they shout or scream, I am determined to get it done,” he said. Modi was addressing the inaugural session of the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress, being held at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi from October 7 to 10.

The theme of IMC 2026 is “Scale Without Boundaries”. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Bharti Group Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal, Reliance Jio Infocomm Chairman Akash Ambani and Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla were among those present at the inaugural session.

The 2026 edition focuses on nine anchor sectors, including 5G and 6G, next-generation AI networks, semiconductors, non-terrestrial networks, cybersecurity, quantum communication, enterprise transformation, circular economy and ESG, and electronics manufacturing. It also features four new focus areas: smart mobility, stadium experiences, industrial robotics and transport technology.