The UK and India have launched a technology security initiative, reinforcing their strategic partnership with a focus on advancing economic growth through emerging technologies.
This initiative, announced during the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s inaugural visit to India, promotes collaboration in telecoms security and stimulates investment across critical sectors.
Framework for advanced technology cooperation
Negotiated by the national security advisors (NSAs) of both countries, this initiative introduces a new approach to collaboration on defining technologies of the decade. These include telecoms, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, semiconductors and others.
This agreement was facilitated by the UK Foreign Secretary on behalf of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, building on existing partnerships between government bodies, industry, and academia from both nations.
The NSAs will continue to advance this agenda, aiming to fully harness the potential of UK-Indian partnerships in critical technologies.
This initiative is part of a broader set of agreements made during the UK Foreign Secretary’s meetings in New Delhi with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
Specific technology collaborations
In AI, the UK and India will work together to develop safe, responsible, and human-centric technologies, promoting global benefits and enhancing interoperability between their AI governance frameworks.
For quantum technology, both nations will establish a high-level dialogue to understand each other’s national strategies and explore future research and collaboration opportunities.
In the semiconductor sector, the UK and India will pursue a broad partnership focused on research and development (R&D), supply chain resilience, skills exchange, and hardware security.
Investment in future technologies
Additionally, a new £7m funding initiative for Future Telecoms research has been announced. This programme, spearheaded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and India’s Department of Science and Technology, is part of the India-UK science, technology, and innovation partnership, aiming to further cement the technological ties between the two nations.
History of UK-India tech agreements
In 2018, the UK-India Tech Partnership was established to enhance collaboration in technology and innovation between the two nations. The partnership focused on joint efforts in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and digital innovation, aiming to drive economic growth and tackle global challenges.
India’s strong interest in collaborating with the UK in technology is driven by several strategic factors. The UK is one of the largest investors in India, highlighting the depth of their economic relationship.
Joint efforts in technology, particularly in emerging fields such as AI, quantum computing, and others, are viewed as essential for advancing economic growth, spurring innovation, and addressing global challenges. Additionally, this collaboration aims to create high-skilled jobs and promote inclusive growth, benefiting both economies.
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