New Delhi, May 6 (Reporter) Describing India’s 5G rollout as “monumental”, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said the country is not just keeping pace with global telecom developments but is now on course to lead the world in 6G technology. Speaking at the 22nd edition of Bharat Telecom 2025, Scindia said: “In just 22 months, 99 per cent of our villages have been connected via 5G, covering 82 per cent of the population. This phenomenal progress is no accident, it is a direct result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, bold reforms, and transformative policies.” Outlining India’s digital growth trajectory, the Minister said the country is poised to become a $4 trillion economy by 2028, $5 trillion by 2031, and $6 trillion shortly thereafter, driven by its digital backbone and innovation-led development. India now accounts for 46 per cent of global digital transactions, primarily enabled by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), with nearly $3 trillion worth of transactions recorded last year alone, he said. Data consumption in the country has also surged significantly, with urban households and businesses now consuming 12 times more data than before. “India is not merely participating in the digital revolution, we are leading it, shaping it, and inspiring the world to follow,” Scindia said. The Minister also spotlighted India’s emergence as a global manufacturing hub. Mobile phone production has risen from 50 million units a decade ago to 350 million units today, he said, adding that tech giant Apple has begun manufacturing in India. Meanwhile, telecom equipment exports have jumped from ₹8,500 crore to nearly ₹20,000 crore. “Investing in India is no longer just a gesture of goodwill—it makes strong economic sense. India offers affordability, reliability, and a spirit of innovation that is setting new global benchmarks,” he said...////...