India joins US-led 25-nation 6G alliance to secure telecom networks

India has joined a United States-led coalition of 25 nations to steer the global development and deployment of 6G telecommunications technology. The agreement, announced by the US Department of Commerce on Monday, 7 September, establishes a unified framework for next-generation networks to ensure they are secure, competitive, and innovative. Strategic Bilateral Cooperation The deal was finalised following a bilateral meeting between US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and India’s Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the G20 Innovation Ministerial held on 1 and 2 September in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. India now joins a bloc of two dozen nations committed to creating 6G standards that reflect shared security interests and economic resilience. According to the US Department of Commerce, the alliance focuses on ensuring that future infrastructure avoids the security vulnerabilities seen in previous cellular generations. The Indian delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology, highlighting the cross-departmental nature of the agreement. Semiconductors and AI Expansion In addition to the 6G pact, Prasada and Lutnick held talks regarding deeper integration in critical technology sectors. Discussions centred on semiconductors, data centres, and artificial intelligence. Minister Prasada encouraged…