Overview The Union Minister of State for Communications, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani , addressed the Networking Breakfast at the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) 25 in Baku . He reaffirmed India's commitment to inclusive, forward-looking digital development and its long-standing partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) , which spans over 150 years . Key Developments Digital Connectivity: India has connected one billion citizens to the internet. Biometric Identity: India has built the world’s largest biometric identity system, serving 1.4 billion people. Digital Transactions: India accounts for over 46 percent of global digital transactions through its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) . Global Contributions: Indian innovations in digital identity, payments, and governance are supporting countries across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. ITU Council Candidature: India announced its candidature for re-election to the ITU Council for the term 2027–2030 . Radiocommunication Bureau Nomination: India has nominated a candidate for the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau . India's Commitments The Union Minister of State emphasized India’s commitment to: Amplifying the priorities of developing nations. Championing practical solutions such as technology transfer and capacity-building. Fostering consensus across regions. Advocating for equitable spectrum allocation. Promoting affordable satellite broadband. UPSC Relevance This news is relevant to the UPSC syllabus under GS2 (International Relations, Government Policies & Interventions) and GS3 (Science and Technology, Economy) . It highlights India's role in international organizations like the ITU and its contributions to global digital development. The focus on digital inclusion, technology transfer, and spectrum management are important for understanding India's foreign policy and its domestic digital transformation. Exam Perspective Prelims: Focus on facts like the number of internet users in India, the percentage of global digital transactions via UPI, and India's candidature for the ITU Council. Mains: Analyze India's role in promoting digital inclusion globally, evaluate the significance of India's digital infrastructure, and discuss India's contributions to spectrum management.