Scindia Collaborates with Telecom Panels for Self-Reliance, Global Leadership

Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia met with three of the six committees comprising satellite communications and telecom gear makers to prepare a roadmap for achieving self-reliance and global leadership in the sector. The meeting, held on Monday, involved advisory groups on satellite communications, electronics ecosystem, and original equipment manufacturers.

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Scindia stated that the first meeting with these advisory groups was an exercise in detailed agenda setting. He emphasised that these groups were formed in a participatory environment with the goal of making India self-reliant and a world leader in communication, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Focus on Satellite Communications

The satellite communication advisory group identified 4-5 key issues to be discussed in detail at their next meeting, scheduled for the first week of August. Scindia did not disclose specific details but highlighted the importance of these discussions for future growth.

The meetings were attended by prominent industry leaders including Nokia India Country Head Tarun Chhabra, Samsung President and CEO Southwest Asia J B Park, Cisco System India Managing Director Harish Krishnan, STL Managing Director and CEO Ankit Agarwal, Tejas Non-Executive Chairman N G Subramanium, Viasat India Managing Director Gautam Sharma, and Hughes Communications India CEO, President and Managing Director Shivaji Chatterjee.

Upcoming Deliberations

Scindia mentioned that further meetings with these advisory groups will be scheduled on different dates. These sessions will focus on the current status of each vertical and India's potential for growth and leadership in these sectors. "If we agree on that plan then what are the drivers that we need to have in place to be able to deliver on that strategy and from the drivers what are the actionable points both for the ministry as well as for industry to be able to deliver," Scindia said.

He also plans to meet three more advisory groups on Tuesday. These groups include telecom service providers, internet service providers and infrastructure, and academicians and research and development professionals. Similar deliberations will take place during these meetings.

Industry Participation

The minister highlighted that deep analysis was conducted for each of the three verticals to chart their growth roadmap. This collaborative effort aims to address issues related to satellite communications, production-linked incentives, and telecom equipment.

Scindia reiterated that the advisory groups are working towards a common goal. "These advisory groups have been formed with a very participatory environment where we are all team players towards a common goal...to make India Atmanirbhar, as well as to make India a world leader in the communication space as espoused and envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he told reporters.

The next steps involve identifying actionable points for both the ministry and industry to deliver on the agreed strategy. The focus remains on achieving self-reliance and establishing global leadership in the communication sector.

The minister's engagement with industry leaders underscores the government's commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in India's telecom sector.