New Delhi/Bhopal, September 10, 2026

India has joined the United States and 24 other countries in a global initiative to shape secure, open and resilient 6G networks. The move gives India an early role in deciding the standards and technologies that could power the next generation of global communication.

The decision followed a meeting in the United States between Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on the sidelines of the G20 Innovation Ministerial, according to media reports.

The US Department of Commerce said the participating countries would work together to ensure that future networks support their shared security interests. The initiative will also promote competition and innovation in 6G technology.

The development is important for India because global telecom standards decide how networks operate and which technologies receive wider commercial acceptance. They also influence patents, manufacturing opportunities and access to international markets.

India was largely a user of technologies developed abroad during the early generations of mobile communication. Its position began to change with 4G and 5G. The country developed an indigenous telecom stack, expanded domestic manufacturing and increased its participation in international standard-setting bodies. The 6G initiative marks another step in that journey. It gives India an opportunity to contribute to the rules and standards before the technology enters commercial use.

6G is still at the research and development stage. Its large-scale rollout is expected around 2030. The International Telecommunication Union has already adopted the broad framework for “IMT-2030,” the global term used for the next generation of mobile systems. Detailed technical standards will take shape over the coming years.

The technology is expected to provide faster and more reliable communication than 5G. It could also improve links between terrestrial networks and satellites, allowing better connectivity in remote and rural areas.

Applications may include smart factories, autonomous transport, advanced healthcare, disaster management and large-scale artificial intelligence systems. However, security, energy use, affordability and access will remain central to its wider adoption.

India had already begun preparing for this transition before joining the latest international initiative. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Bharat 6G Vision in March 2023. Its objective is to make India a leading contributor to the research, design and deployment of 6G technology. The Bharat 6G Alliance was launched in July 2023 to carry this vision forward. It brings together telecom companies, startups, academic institutions, research bodies and government organisations.

The alliance is working on spectrum, equipment, devices, applications, sustainability and international cooperation. Its stated aim is to help India emerge as a global supplier of affordable 5G, 6G and other future telecom solutions.

India has also expanded research partnerships with organisations in Japan, Europe and other major technology centres. These collaborations are expected to help Indian institutions participate more actively in global discussions on patents and technical standards.

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said India aims to secure 10 per cent of global 6G patents. Achieving that target will require sustained investment in research, testing facilities, semiconductor capability and skilled manpower.

The global race over 6G is therefore not limited to internet speed. It is also about control over critical communication systems, trusted supply chains and the economic value created by patents and equipment. “India’s participation will give it a stronger voice in shaping the global 6G landscape, while opening new opportunities for Indian researchers, technology companies and start-ups. It will also support the country’s efforts to develop indigenous patents, products and solutions ahead of the commercial rollout of 6G.”