The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) convened in Delhi for its annual General Assembly, with key topics including new broadcasting services and the role of media in national development.

More than 500 delegates from 46 countries have registered for the Assembly and associated specialised meetings. The events are hosted by Prasar Bharati, which oversees All India Radio and the national TV broadcaster Doordarshan.

The 213 Members of the EBU's most active sister union serve a total population of more than three billion.

India's surging broadcasting industry now counts 800 satellite TV channels, including 300 news channels. According to a forecast cited in the opening session, the industry is expected to surge by a further 14% annually over the coming five years.

Complete digital switchover and analogue switchoff for TV is scheduled in India for December 2014.