The Foreign Secretary has today announced the UK-India Technology
Security Initiative during his first visit to India in his role
where he met senior Indian Government officials including Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, as part of the government's reset with
the global south.
The Initiative has been spearheaded and agreed by the National
Security Advisors (NSAs) following negotiations between both
countries to expand collaboration in critical and emerging
technologies across priority sectors. It will set out a bold new
approach for how the UK and India work together on the defining
technologies of this decade – telecoms, critical minerals, AI,
quantum, health/bio tech, advanced materials and
semiconductors.
This first of its kind agreement – delivered by the Foreign
Secretary on behalf of the Prime Minister – builds on a series of
partnerships between British and Indian Government, industry and
academia. The respective National Security Advisers will take
this agreement forward to ensure the collective potential of
UK-Indian critical technologies is harnessed.
The announcement is part of a wider package of announcements the
Foreign Secretary agreed following bilateral meetings in New
Delhi with Indian Prime Minister Modi and Minister for External
Affairs Dr Jaishankar to refresh the UK-India Comprehensive
Strategic Partnership. This will drive forward a bilateral
partnership that is framed on boosting economic growth, deepening
co-operation across key issues including trade, technology,
education, culture and climate.
A new £7-million funding call for Future Telecoms research was
also announced by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and India's
Department of Science and Technology, under the India-UK science,
technology, and innovation partnership.
Foreign Secretary, , said:
“This government will put growth at the heart of our foreign
policy. That's why three weeks into the job, I am in Delhi
announcing a new Technology Security Initiative to deliver on the
promise of the UK-India relationship.
“This will mean real action together on the challenges of the
future from AI to critical minerals. Together we can unlock
mutual growth, boost innovation, jobs and
investment.
“We are also accelerating our joint work on the climate crisis –
ensuring brighter, safer futures for Brits and Indians. This
government is reconnecting Britain for our security and
prosperity at home.'”
Secretary of State for Science, , said:
“The UK and India are recognised the world over as powerhouses
for science, innovation and technology - and this new agreement
will deliver growth and untold benefits for citizens across both
nations.
“From telecoms and semiconductors to biotechnology and AI, these
generation-defining technologies will unlock countless new
opportunities and innovations, so we can deliver for working
people here and in India as we deepen our long-standing
partnership.”
The Foreign Secretary agreed with the Minister for External
Affairs to deepen partnership on climate, including to mobilise
finance and unlock new clean growth opportunities.
This includes strengthening our investment partnership, to unlock
the potential of pioneering Indian enterprises working on climate
and technology. These initiatives are specifically focussed on
delivering green development while empowering women.
As well as work on off-shore-wind and green hydrogen, the UK and
India agreed to deepen our partnership on forests and on building
resilient cities of the future.
