India endorses global call for 6G leadership and security
India has joined more than 20 governments in endorsing a global 6G initiative focused on secure, resilient networks, technology standards, cybersecurity and supply-chain cooperation.
India’s participation builds on its domestic 6G ecosystem, including the Bharat 6G Vision, Bharat 6G Alliance and indigenous 4G and 5G technology stack.
NEW DELHI: India has endorsed the “Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security”, joining more than 20 like-minded governments in a shared commitment to developing open, interoperable, secure and resilient sixth-generation wireless networks.
The initiative, announced on the sidelines of the G20 Innovation Ministerial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, seeks greater international cooperation on 6G research, standards, cybersecurity, supply chains and technological innovation.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will coordinate India’s participation and take forward follow-up activities involving government agencies, industry, academia and other stakeholders.
India targets greater role in 6G
The initiative aligns with Communications and DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia’s stated vision of positioning India as a global leader in 6G. Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani has also emphasised India’s transition from a technology adopter to a standard-setter.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India aims to contribute 10% of global 6G standards and patents.
The endorsement was announced in connection with the G20 Innovation Ministerial held on September 1-2 under the US G20 Presidency. The announcement was marked by a handshake between Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology, and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Roadmap for cooperation
The Call to Action establishes a phased roadmap. Within one month, participating governments are expected to identify expert 6G points of contact, designate coordinating agencies and prepare preliminary lists of relevant industry and academic stakeholders.
Within three months, governments will engage the telecommunications sector to assess the emerging 6G landscape, identify barriers to leadership and examine resources needed to strengthen competitiveness.
Within six months, participants will develop strategies for secure, resilient, sustainable and innovative 6G supply chains. A meeting in 2027 will review progress and establish priorities for the following year.
Areas identified for cooperation include 6G research and development, cybersecurity risk assessment, resilient supply chains, international standards and deployment of secure 5G and 6G technologies.
India’s participation builds on its domestic 6G ecosystem, including the Bharat 6G Vision, Bharat 6G Alliance and indigenous 4G and 5G technology stack.
The government said participation in the initiative does not restrict India’s independent positions in industry-led standards bodies or international spectrum forums.
