India Backs Global 6G Call to Action, Aims for 10% of Standards and Patents

India has formally endorsed the international 'Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security', aligning itself with over 20 like-minded governments committed to building next-generation wireless networks that are open, interoperable, secure and resilient.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the G20 Innovation Ministerial, held in North Carolina, United States, on 1-2 September 2026. The endorsement was marked by a handshake between Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, and Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Jitin Prasada, and US Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Howard Lutnick.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has set an ambitious target of contributing 10 percent of global 6G standards and patents. The initiative advances the vision of Union Minister of Communications and DoNER, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, to position India as a global leader in 6G technology. It also aligns with the government's broader goal of transforming the country from a technology adopter to a standard-setter.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will spearhead India's engagement under the Call to Action, coordinating follow-up activities with government agencies, industry, academia and other stakeholders.

The Call to Action outlines a graduated roadmap for participating governments. Within one month, they are to designate expert points of contact and identify relevant stakeholders. Within three months, they are to engage the telecom sector to map the emerging landscape and identify barriers to leadership. By six months, governments are expected to strategise on supporting secure and innovative 6G supply chains. Within twelve months, participants will convene in person in 2027 to review progress and set priorities.

Other areas of cooperation include information-sharing on 6G research and development, collaboration on deploying secure 5G and 6G technologies in global markets, and working with industry to shape global standards in standards development organisations.

India's participation builds on its domestic foundations, including the Bharat 6G Vision, the Bharat 6G Alliance and its indigenous 4G and 5G technology stack. The engagement is in line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, and is without prejudice to India's independent positions in international standardisation and spectrum fora.

Other governments affirming the Call to Action include Canada, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Norway, Paraguay, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.