India reaffirms commitment to inclusive digital growth at WTDC25; seeks support for ITU Council seat

Baku, November 20: Union Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani addressed a networking breakfast on the sidelines of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC25) in Baku on Tuesday, reiterating India’s long-standing partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and its commitment to equitable, future-ready digital development.

Pemmasani highlighted India’s “record of action,” noting that the country has connected one billion people to the internet, built the world’s largest biometric identity platform for 1.4 billion citizens and now accounts for more than 46 per cent of global digital transactions through UPI. These systems, he said, have remained open, affordable and accessible, offering a template for inclusive digital transformation.

Emphasising India’s global contributions, the minister said Indian innovations in digital identity, payments and digital governance are already supporting several countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific. India, he said, shares these capabilities not for commercial gain but from a belief that digital public infrastructure should be a shared global resource. Through its Centre of Excellence, India has trained thousands of professionals in spectrum management, cybersecurity and digital governance, while advocating for equitable spectrum allocation, affordable satellite broadband and capacity-building for developing nations.

Pemmasani formally announced India’s candidature for re-election to the ITU Council for the 2027–2030 term. He said India will continue to champion the priorities of developing nations, push for practical solutions such as technology transfer and strengthen consensus across regions. He also announced India’s nomination for the post of Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau, signalling India’s intention to advance innovation-driven, globally harmonised spectrum governance.

He concluded by reaffirming that India’s request for support is rooted in transparency, sustained engagement and solidarity with countries pursuing digital transformation. India, he said, will work with all member states to ensure that affordable, meaningful connectivity reaches every citizen worldwide.