From March 18-20, 2024, Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, spearheaded a high-level delegation to Geneva for a series of pivotal meetings at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Headquarters. The visit was marked by a focus on fostering collaboration and exploring innovative initiatives in the telecommunications and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors.
Dr. Neeraj Mittal has been elected co-chair of ITU’s Digital Innovation Board, positioning India at the forefront of digital innovation globally. This board, formed under the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development, comprises ministers and vice ministers of telecom/ICT from 23 member countries of ITU, reflecting a diverse and inclusive approach to driving digital transformation.
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development, initiated by ITU, responds to the significant unmet needs articulated in the Kigali Action Plan and the Outcomes of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022. This alliance aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in digital development, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable digital future.
India’s role in this alliance further solidified with the selection of 17 organizations worldwide to host Network of Acceleration Centres, with the Global Innovation Centre in New Delhi coordinating these efforts. Dr. Mittal’s discussions with Dr. Cosmos Zavazava at ITU Headquarters emphasized the importance of scaling up ITU’s presence in India and strengthening initiatives such as the Digital Transformation Lab and Acceleration Centres.
Moreover, the visit witnessed increased participation of India in ITU activities, as evidenced by Dr. Mittal’s chairing of a review meeting at the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva. This underscores India’s commitment to actively engage with ITU, involving academia and industry members to drive progress in the telecommunications sector.
Bilateral meetings with Japan and Bahrain further accentuated India’s collaborative efforts in the ICT domain. Discussions ranged from AI to 5G use cases, highlighting the shared commitment to technological advancement and cybersecurity. The proposed collaborations signify a strategic alignment between India and these nations to develop frameworks on trusted products and promote innovation.
Dr. Mittal’s invitation to Japanese delegates to participate in events like the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 and India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024 reflects India’s openness to international cooperation and knowledge exchange. Similarly, the engagement with Bahrain aims to revive the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ICT and explore avenues for mutual growth in areas like AI and cybersecurity.
In essence, Dr. Neeraj Mittal’s leadership and India’s proactive engagement underscore the nation’s pivotal role in shaping the global telecommunications landscape. Through collaborative initiatives and a commitment to innovation, India is poised to leverage technology for socio-economic development, reaffirming its position as a key player in the digital era.