India joins US-led global partnership to develop secure next-generation 6G networks

India has joined a US-led international initiative aimed at shaping the development of secure 6G wireless networks, bringing the country into a group of 25 other nations working on the next generation of mobile technology.The partnership includes countries such as the UK, Germany and Japan and seeks to align national 6G strategies well before the technology is expected to begin replacing 5G networks in the 2030s.The US Department of Commerce announced India's participation on Monday.“Today, we are pleased to announce that India has joined the US and 24 other countries in the effort to ensure that next-generation networks reflect our shared security interests, strengthen our competitiveness, and drive innovation in 6G,” the Department of Commerce said in a post on X on Monday.India and US step up 6G cooperationUS Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and India's Minister of State for Commerce Jitin Prasada discussed the future of 6G on the sidelines of the G20 Innovation Ministerial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, last week.Prasada said India's participation would strengthen cooperation with the US and other countries in developing the technology.“India's joint effort with the United States and 24 other countries to promote innovation and competition in 6G technology will give a new direction to the global digital landscape,” Prasada said in a post on X.The US launched the initiative in July under the “Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security”, with backing from 24 other countries across Europe, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific.Washington targets 6G leadershipThe initiative is being led by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration under the US Department of Commerce.It is intended to advance the objectives of US President Donald Trump's ‘Winning the 6G Race’ December 2025 Presidential Memorandum, which identified 6G networks as important to US national security, foreign policy and economic prosperity.India has also set its own 6G ambitions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released India's 6G Vision document on March 22, 2023, setting out a goal for the country to become a frontline contributor to the design, development and deployment of 6G by 2030.Get the latest Business News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.