Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta called for a "Swadeshi tech moment" through higher indigenisation in semiconductors, AI systems, and 6G networks at the Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 on Thursday.

Speaking at the ninth edition of IMC, which has drawn thousands of exhibitors and startups and is expected to attract lakhs of visitors, Gupta said India’s digital journey had moved far beyond imagination.

“There was a time when no one could have imagined the use of mobile phones. Today, even a rickshaw driver carries a smartphone, watches reels, updates his social media, and accepts digital payments. This is how India has grown,” she said, noting that the country now leads globally in digital payments and connectivity.

Gupta emphasised that the government’s focus is on self-reliance across sectors, from defence to technology. “The vision is clear; our country should make its own semiconductors, build its own networking systems, and make the most mobile phones in the world,” she said. “The government has abolished outdated laws and extended every facility to startups. The message is simple: you grow, the government stands with you.”

She said India’s 140-crore population, once considered a liability, has now become an asset driving the country’s digital and entrepreneurial transformation. “Today, every nation wants to invest in India, partner with India, and share platforms with India,” she said, adding that this shift has been decades in the making.

Gupta also highlighted the growing role of women in shaping India’s technology story. “There is no gender for courage, creativity, innovation, or vision. The sky is the limit,” she said, citing leaders such as Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Falguni Nayar, and Ghazal Alagh as examples of women who have redefined industries.

Calling for a collective mindset of progress, she said, “We must take India to a stage where ‘Made in India’ inspires the same reliability as ‘Made in Germany.’ Our goal is not just to walk with the world, but to take two steps ahead.”