India Joins Global 6G Network Initiative

Key facts

• India has joined the United States and 24 other nations in a global initiative to guide the development and deployment of next-generation 6G telecommunications networks, the US Department of Commerce announced on Monday.
• The initiative is focused on developing secure, competitive and innovative 6G networks.
• The agreement was finalised following a bilateral meeting between US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada on the sidelines of the G20 Innovation Ministerial.
• The 6G effort seeks to ensure next-generation networks reflect shared security interests, strengthen competitiveness, and drive innovation in 6G, according to the US Department of Commerce.
• Jitin Prasada led the Indian delegation at the G20 Innovation Ministers' meeting held on September 1 and September 2 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States.
• The G20 Innovation Ministers' meeting was hosted by the US Department of Commerce and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
• Prasada was accompanied by Ajit Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), along with senior officials from MeitY, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and officials of the Embassy of India in the US.
• At the conclusion of the Ministerial, the G20 Ministers released an Innovation Ministerial Statement recognising that emerging technologies have the potential to unlock prosperity, enhance productivity, and expand opportunity.
• During the bilateral discussion with Howard Lutnick, US Secretary of Commerce, both sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation across semiconductors, AI and data centres.
• Prasada encouraged the possibility of more US investments in ISM2.0, proposed strengthening the AI technology partnership, and shared a mechanism for safeguards for AI.
• Prasada stated on X that semiconductors, AI and data centres are critical building blocks of the emerging digital economy.
• Both sides examined avenues to deepen practical collaboration and advance technology-led opportunities between India and the United States.
• The engagements underscored India's growing role in shaping the global technology and innovation agenda and reaffirmed its commitment to building strategic partnerships that translate advances in AI, semiconductors, DPI, robotics and other emerging technologies into innovation, economic growth and improved quality of life for its citizens.