New Delhi: India has joined more than 20 like-minded countries in endorsing the Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security, signalling its intent to play a bigger role in shaping the global standards and security architecture for next-generation wireless networks.
The initiative calls for 6G networks that are open, interoperable, secure, resilient, resource-efficient and driven by innovation and competition. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will lead India’s follow-up efforts and coordinate with government agencies, industry, academia and other stakeholders.
The move comes as India seeks to transition from being a technology adopter to becoming a technology and standards setter. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has set an ambition of contributing 10% of global 6G standards and patents.
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia has repeatedly stressed India’s goal of emerging as a global 6G leader, while Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani has highlighted the country’s growing capabilities in indigenous telecom technologies.
India’s endorsement was announced on the sidelines of the G20 Innovation Ministerial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, held on September 1-2 under the US G20 presidency. The announcement was marked by a meeting between Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The Call to Action recognises advanced telecommunications networks as critical infrastructure and flags the cyber, economic and national-security risks associated with increasingly interconnected networks.
Participating governments have agreed to work with industry and academia on secure and interoperable 6G development, resilient supply chains, cybersecurity and global standards.
The framework sets out milestones ranging from one month to 12 months. Governments are expected to designate 6G experts, identify industry and academic stakeholders, assess barriers to leadership and examine resources needed to strengthen national 6G capabilities. A follow-up meeting is planned in 2027 to review progress and set priorities.
India’s participation builds on initiatives including the Bharat 6G Vision, Bharat 6G Alliance and indigenous 4G and 5G technology stack.
The government said engagement under the initiative will complement India’s ongoing work in international standardisation and spectrum forums while preserving its independent positions.
Other governments endorsing the initiative include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, the UK and the US, among others.
The government said the initiative will strengthen India’s efforts to build secure, resilient and globally competitive telecom technologies in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
