India Strengthens Global Telecom Leadership at ITU Council

India presented a formal proposal to host the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-2030) and the Council accepted that proposal as a major diplomatic outcome. The acceptance represents a significant milestone in India’s role in shaping international telecom and digital policy, and the proposal is likely to be approved at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in November 2026 in Doha, Qatar. Delegates emphasised India’s capacity to host large multilateral meetings and to contribute to global standardisation processes.

India strongly canvassed support for its candidatures and hosted a networking reception on 30 April at ITU premises that was attended by 69 Member States. The delegation advanced nominations for re-election to the ITU Council and for the post of Director of the Radio Communications Bureau (BR), with Dr Revathi Mannepalli presenting her vision for the radio sector. On the sidelines, delegations held 15 bilateral meetings to garner support and to deepen ties with Member States.

On eight May, the Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, addressed the Council virtually and announced a voluntary contribution from India for the implementation of World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) resolutions, targeting sixth-generation mobile technology (6G), artificial intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure and sustainable digital transformation. The contribution is intended to create opportunities for India to lead workstreams within the ITU and to contribute further to global telecom standardisation and digital development initiatives.

The ITU Council, the governing body of 48 elected Member States, meets annually in Geneva to oversee strategy, policy, budget and financial control. India has been a Council member since 1952.