Delhi Declaration Signals Global Push for Secure and Inclusive 6G Development

Context:

• The Bharat 6G Alliance, along with nine global organisations, signed the Delhi Declaration at the International Bharat 6G Symposium 2025.

• The event was held on the sidelines of the India Mobile Congress 2025, positioning India as an active agenda-setter in the evolution of next-generation digital communication technologies.

Key Highlights:

Delhi Declaration on 6G

• The declaration commits signatories to develop a secure, open, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable 6G ecosystem.

• It reflects a shared vision to ensure that future telecom networks are trustworthy, interoperable, and environmentally responsible.

• Emphasises global cooperation in shaping standards and governance frameworks for 6G.

Role of Bharat 6G Alliance

• The Bharat 6G Alliance represents India’s coordinated effort involving:

  • Government

  • Industry

  • Academia

  • Research institutions

• R.K. Pathak, Director General of the Alliance, stressed:

  • The importance of trusted technologies

  • Adoption of open standards to ensure transparency and security.

Focus on Open Standards

• Open standards are highlighted to:

  • Prevent vendor lock-in

  • Promote interoperability across networks

  • Encourage innovation and competition in the telecom sector

• Aligns with India’s broader push for technology sovereignty and digital public infrastructure.

Security and Resilience

• The declaration underscores the need for:

  • Secure-by-design 6G architectures

  • Protection against cyber threats and supply-chain vulnerabilities

• Recognises that 6G will underpin critical infrastructure, smart cities, defence, and industrial automation.

Inclusivity and Bridging the Digital Divide

• Inclusivity is a core pillar, aiming to:

  • Bridge the digital divide

  • Ensure equitable access to advanced communication technologies

• Focus on designing networks that serve rural, remote, and underserved populations.

Sustainability Dimension

• Commitment to energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable 6G networks.

• Addresses concerns over:

  • Rising energy consumption of digital infrastructure

  • Climate impact of next-generation telecom systems

Strategic and Global Significance

• Reinforces India’s ambition to be:

  • A technology leader, not just a technology consumer

  • A contributor to global norm-setting in digital governance

• Enhances India’s standing in international technology diplomacy.

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS Paper 3 – Science & Technology

  • Prelims:

    • 6G technology, open standards, digital divide.

  • Mains:

    • Strategic importance of next-generation telecom technologies.

    • Role of open standards in innovation, security, and self-reliance.

    • Sustainability challenges of digital infrastructure.

• GS Paper 2 – International Relations

  • Prelims:

    • Technology cooperation platforms and global digital initiatives.

  • Mains:

    • Technology diplomacy and India’s role in global digital governance.

    • International collaboration in setting norms for emerging technologies.