NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made a pitch to boost investments in manufacturing in the country, saying, it is the “best time to invest, innovate and make in India”, which should be positioned as a “trusted partner” in the global supply chain. The statement comes when India faces tariffs headwinds from the US, while looking at striking trade agreements and global alliances for pushing the export economy.PM Modi said that led by technologies, such as 4G and 5G in telecom, digital and internet have emerged as the backbone of the country. “Cost of one GB wireless data in India is now lower than price of a cup of tea… (and) India ranks among leading nations in per-user data consumption, signifying that digital connectivity is no longer a privilege or luxury but an integral part of everyday life,” the PM said as he inaugurated 2025 edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC).Speaking to a gathering of domestic and global business leaders, including Reliance Jio chairman Akash Ambani, Airtel chief Sunil Mittal, and a large number of startups and new-age deeptech companies, Modi said India is today leading with a mindset that is focussed on expanding industry and investment.“India Mobile Congress and India’s success in the telecom sector reflect the strength of the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision,” Modi said, recalling how the idea of ‘Make in India’ was once “mocked by skeptics who doubted India’s ability” to produce technologically-advanced products, citing delays of decades in adopting new technologies during earlier regimes. “The nation has responded decisively. The country, which once struggled with 2G now has 5G coverage in nearly every district. Electronics production has increased six-fold since 2014, mobile phone manufacturing has grown 28 times, while their exports have surged 127 times.”He said govt has been taking steps to make it easier for corporates to invest and expand. “The country’s democratic setup, govt’s welcoming approach, and ease of doing business policies have established India as an investor-friendly destination…”