During the visit of David Lammy, the British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, a few key areas were addressed during his talks with the Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. Both countries are faced with the necessity of operating in a world where technology has already made deep inroads. The India – UK Technology Security Initiative, ‘will bring into sharper focus collaboration in critical and emerging technologies (CET) across priority sectors. It will reinforce existing collaborative efforts in various technologies, broaden the mandates of existing mechanisms, and establish new mechanisms for cooperation’.
Certain areas where such collaboration can be expected are stated in the agreement. Deeper strategic partnership can be rolled out between UK and Indian research and technology centres and incubators. Enhanced cooperation can be expected across UK and India tech and innovation ecosystems.
Telecom Sector
Telecom sector is a critical sector required for the economies of both countries to grow. It’s also a vital area for the armed forces of both countries. Considerable progress can be expected in the telecom sector.
- Joint research on future telecoms, focussed on Open RAN systems, testbed linkups, telecoms security, spectrum innovation, software and systems architecture.
- Explore collaboration in global design and development of next generation telecommunication technologies, and promoting 6G technology engagement.
- Deepen policy and regulatory exchanges to develop a bilateral framework.
- Launch a joint UK-India research programme on Future Telecoms in 2024.
Critical Minerals
- Develop a roadmap for cooperation, and establish a UK-India “critical minerals” community of academics, innovators and industry.
- Establish collaboration between leading UK and Indian research institutes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Work towards safe, responsible, human-centric and trustworthy AI, which can promote global good and strengthen interoperability.
- Promote cooperation between AI centres in the UK such as The Alan Turing Institute and Indian institutions.
- Support new partnerships between UK and India research organisations alongside existing joint programmes using AI to tackle global challenges.
- Explore opportunities for knowledge sharing around AI.
Advanced Materials
- Enhance the development of technologies for materials/ composites focused on bringing up the lower TRL (Technology Readiness Level) technologies to higher TRL and CRL (Commercial Readiness Level).
- Explore joint steps on qualification and certification.
Semiconductors
- Facilitating academic and industrial R&D collaboration, including chip design and IP, compound semiconductors, advanced packaging and innovative systems, with a focus on strategically important applications such as powering net zero, advanced telecommunications and cybersecurity.
- integration of supply chains for manufacturing and designing semiconductor chips and wafers; strengthening the resilience of semiconductor supply chains – addressing challenges around raw materials, components, design and devices.
Quantum
- Joint hackathons in quantum algorithms and solutions for automotive, life sciences, chemicals, and greenhouse gas domains.
- Entrepreneurship training for translating quantum capabilities into business applications.
- Academic/industry scoping exchanges on skills development.
In addition to the above issues, joint pursuance in many other aspects are also to be addressed. The areas of Health technology and Biotechnology are also to be addressed.
Team BharatShakti
