Bharat and the UK have launched a Technology Security Initiative to enhance telecommunications security and collaborate in critical areas such as minerals, semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, and health technology.
The announcement came after UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. This initiative mirrors a similar one between Bharat and the US, with coordination led by the NSAs of both countries.
This initiative aims to strengthen the Bharat-UK comprehensive strategic partnership and boost economic growth. Following discussions between Bharat and UK NSAs, the initiative will involve government, private sector, academia, and R&D institutions.
During their meeting, Jaishankar and Lammy reviewed the progress of the Roadmap 2030 for bilateral relations and agreed to update it to enhance cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, defense, security, migration, IT, AI, innovation, and green energy.
Both countries acknowledged the significant progress in negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) and expressed hope for its early conclusion. They also agreed to enhance defence and security cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, and to address threats from non-state actors.
Jaishankar and Lammy also discussed regional and global issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the situation in West Asia and the Red Sea, the Commonwealth, and the UN Security Council.
A joint fact sheet highlighted that the Technology Security Initiative aims to elevate the Bharat-UK strategic partnership, focusing on critical and emerging technologies. It will reinforce existing efforts and establish new cooperation mechanisms.
In addition to the Technology Security Initiative with the UK, Bharat has similar initiatives with the US and the EU, focusing on setting standards and collaborating on advanced technologies.
Key areas of collaboration under the Technology Security Initiative include:
Future Telecoms Partnership: Joint research on open radio access network (open RAN) systems, telecoms security, spectrum innovation, software, and systems architecture.
Critical Minerals: Expanding collaboration on critical mineral strategies, improving supply chain resilience, and exploring R&D partnerships.
Semiconductors: Broad partnership on supply chain resilience, skills exchanges, hardware security, and collaboration in chip design, compound semiconductors, and advanced packaging.
Artificial Intelligence: Promoting safe, responsible AI, strengthening interoperability of AI governance frameworks, and working together in multilateral forums.
Quantum Computing: Establishing a high-level dialogue on national quantum strategies and shaping future research and industry collaboration.
Biotechnology and Advanced Materials: Launching partnerships to share knowledge and facilitate research advances.
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Bharat’s Department of Science and Technology announced a new £7-million funding call for future telecoms research.
Lammy emphasized the importance of growth in foreign policy and announced the Technology Security Initiative to strengthen the UK-Bharat relationship.
