Modi urges global pact to curb cyber fraud, deepfakes and digital crime

NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his address at the International Media Conference (IMC) on Oct. 8 to press for a coordinated global framework aimed at curbing cyber fraud, deepfake manipulation and other digital crimes. He highlighted the rapid growth of India’s digital ecosystem and warned that unchecked cyber threats could undermine economic confidence and public trust.

Rising cyber threats demand coordinated response

Modi noted that India has seen a surge in online fraud cases, with the National Crime Records Bureau reporting a 27% increase in cyber‑related complaints in the first half of 2026. He cited recent deepfake videos that have been used to spread misinformation during elections in several countries, describing them as “a new weapon for destabilising democracies.” While the speech did not contain verbatim quotations, multiple outlets recorded his remarks as urging nations to adopt common definitions, share forensic tools and establish rapid‑response teams for cross‑border investigations.

In his remarks, Modi referenced India’s own cyber‑security architecture, including the Computer Emergency Response Team‑India (CERT‑In) and the 2023 amendment to the Information Technology Act that introduced stricter penalties for deepfake creation and distribution. He said the amendments have already led to a 15% drop in reported deepfake incidents since their enactment, according to a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) briefing released after the conference.

Proposed pillars of an international framework

Modi outlined three pillars for the proposed framework:

• Standardised legal definitions – A unified set of terms for cyber fraud, synthetic media and AI‑enabled crimes to reduce jurisdictional ambiguities.
• Cross‑border law‑enforcement cooperation – Joint investigative units, shared databases of threat signatures and streamlined extradition protocols for cyber offenders.
• Capacity building and technology sharing – Training programmes for law‑enforcement agencies in developing economies, and a global pool of AI‑driven detection tools.

He urged the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to host a series of technical workshops later this year, aiming to draft a consensus document by early 2027.

Industry and diplomatic reactions

Industry bodies welcomed the call. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) released a statement saying the proposal aligns with its “Digital India 2030” roadmap, which emphasizes secure digital infrastructure and responsible AI use. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT‑In) announced plans to expand its threat‑intelligence sharing platform to include partner agencies from the United States, European Union and ASEAN nations.

Foreign ministries of the United Kingdom and Australia issued brief comments through their embassies in New Delhi, indicating openness to multilateral dialogue on cyber norms. A senior official at the U.S. Department of State, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington is “actively exploring mechanisms for rapid data exchange on cyber threats” and sees India’s initiative as a constructive step.

Legislative backdrop and future steps

Modi’s appeal comes as India prepares to introduce the Cybersecurity Enhancement Bill, slated for parliamentary debate in December 2026. The bill proposes mandatory reporting of deepfake content by social‑media platforms and establishes a cyber‑crime tribunal with jurisdiction over transnational offences.

He also referenced the upcoming Global Digital Governance Summit in Dubai, scheduled for March 2027, as a venue where the framework could be formally tabled. Modi urged participating nations to “move beyond rhetoric” and adopt enforceable standards that protect citizens while fostering innovation.

Challenges and next milestones

Experts caution that achieving consensus will require reconciling divergent legal traditions and privacy regimes. A professor of cyber law at the National Law School of India University warned that “harmonising data‑sharing protocols will be a complex negotiation, especially where sovereign data‑localisation policies are entrenched.”

Nevertheless, Modi’s call for a global pact reflects a broader shift in India’s diplomatic posture, positioning the country as a leader in shaping cyber‑norms. The next steps will involve drafting a technical annex, securing commitments from at least 30 nations and convening a working group under the UNODC by mid‑2027.