BRUNEI — In a major leap for its global tech ambitions, India has successfully carved out a central role in shaping the future of global telecommunications. During the high-stakes 36th Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Wireless Group (AWG-36) held in Brunei Darussalam last week, the Indian delegation secured crucial leadership positions that will directly influence how the world builds and regulates 6G networks.
The summit, which ran from April 6 to April 10, 2026, gathered over 400 heavyweights from the Asia-Pacific region, including top policymakers, national regulators, and tech industry executives.
While the agenda covered everything from the continued evolution of 5G to the tricky business of spectrum harmonization and AI integration, the real story was India’s strategic maneuver to transition from a tech consumer to a global tech architect.
A Diplomatic and Technological Victory
Securing a seat at the head of the table didn’t happen by accident. Behind the scenes, the Indian delegation—spearheaded by senior officials from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) WPC wing alongside industry leaders—engaged in intense, proactive negotiations with regional tech powerhouses like Japan and China.
The diplomatic full-court press paid off with two major appointments:
- Bharat B. Bhatia, President of the ITU-APT Foundation of India (IAFI), was elected as the Special Adviser to the AWG. This is a highly influential position that sits on par with the role of Vice Chair, giving India a powerful voice in the group’s overarching strategy.
- Dr. Punit Rathod, Lead of Technical Standards at Qualcomm and an IAFI member, was elected as the Chair of the Sub-Working Group on IMT Technologies (SWG IMT-Tech). This puts an Indian representative directly in charge of the group tackling mobile broadband standards.
“The announcement made at AWG-36 is indeed a proud moment for India,” Bharat B. Bhatia shared following his appointment. “These leadership roles reflect the trust placed in our expertise and our commitment to constructive global engagement. As the region advances towards 6G and increasingly intelligent networks, it is essential that we work collectively to build inclusive, future-ready, and harmonised wireless ecosystems.”
Writing the Rules for 6G and AI
But why does this matter to the average consumer or tech business?
Historically, global telecom standards have been drafted largely by Western nations and East Asian tech hubs. By holding the pen on the Sub-Working Group for IMT Technologies, India ensures that its unique geographic, demographic, and economic needs are baked into the very DNA of 6G before it rolls out globally.
Beyond the leadership roles, Indian delegates like Jitendra Singh and Dr. Sendil Kumar were deeply involved across multiple working groups. Their focus? The complex evolution of IMT toward 6G and how artificial intelligence will eventually manage these massive global networks.
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The “Make in India” Ripple Effect in Brunei
This diplomatic win provides massive tailwinds for India’s domestic tech initiatives. With the country heavily pushing its “Make in India” campaign and developing indigenous 4G and 5G stacks, having a front-row seat to global standard-setting is invaluable.
When Indian telecom companies, startups, and hardware manufacturers know exactly where global standards are heading, they can align their research and development accordingly. This cuts down their time-to-market and gives Indian innovations a serious competitive edge on the global stage.
Looking Ahead
As the dust settles on AWG-36, the message is clear: India is no longer just participating in the global tech conversation—it is leading it. All eyes in the telecom world will now look toward the next major milestone, AWG-37, which is slated to take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in September 2026.