India's 6G tech lead in spotlight at India Global Forum in Delhi

India Global Forum’s (IGF) flagship Annual Summit centred around the theme of India “Setting the Pace” for the global economy opened in New Delhi on March 27.

Comprising a power packed line up of business leaders, policymakers, founders and investors, the Summit commenced with an insightful keynote by Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Union Minister for Railways, Communication and Electronics & IT. The minister reflected upon India’s rapid progress in rolling out 5G across the country and laid out the ambition for the country’s lead in 6G adoption. It was revealed that India has already acquired a record number of patents in 6G and the country is all set to drive innovation in this field.  

Vasihnaw said: “Last year, our Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] gave us the target that in 4G, 5G we should be equal to the world and in 6G, we should actually lead the technology development. So, we set up a very comprehensive team comprising entrepreneurs, academicians, researchers, students, policymakers for ideas which we coalesced everything. Today as we speak, we already have 127 patents for the 6G telecom technologies.  

“Over the years, using local talent, technologies, and local infrastructure, India has built and delivered solutions and products for the country and for the world."

Welcoming delegates to the Annual Summit, IGF Founder and Chairman Professor Manoj Ladwa, added: “I would like to highlight two aspects of India’s recent growth story which I believe have not received the recognition in global discourse that they deserve: diversity and inclusion and climate action. Rapid women’s empowerment and rapid climate action are critical not only for India’s success, but for the world’s success. 

“Today as we deliberate on our shared future and try to chart a course to common prosperity, we will take a close look at the role that this enterprising nation will increasingly play in the coming days. At IGF, we believe in building lasting partnerships that will give wings to India’s ascendence.”