India and UK explore new partnership on critical strategic technologies

The development is due to intensifying competition for emerging technologies as nations race to develop key capabilities. Last year, India and the US established the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) to develop cooperation in key technologies such as semiconductors, advanced materials, biotechnology and rare earth processing. iCET also aims to encourage the defense industrial ecosystems and universities of both countries to work with each other.

According to the people quoted above, India and the UK are considering a broad partnership that mirrors iCET by developing cooperation on specific capabilities in strategic technology. The focus will also be on linking Indian companies with UK-based cutting-edge research facilities focusing on 5G and other crucial technologies. Another key focus will be to build pathways for greater mobility of research talent to move between countries.

New Delhi and London boosted the technology partnership after Science Minister Jitendra Singh visited London in April. Both parties signed an agreement aimed at deepening the links between their scientific ecosystems as well as providing funds for research in artificial intelligence, machine learning and bioimaging.

India has been named a member of the UK Fund for International Scientific Partnerships. Clean energy is a major priority for India and the UK. Both parties have established a university partnership on sustainable biofuels, decarbonising the pharmaceutical industry and manufacturing.

“The agreement will eliminate red tape that stands in the way of major collaborations, while also unleashing a series of new joint research schemes with the goal of making progress on some of the most important problems facing the world, from the climate change and pandemic preparedness to AI and machine learning. said a press release from the two countries.

According to the people quoted above, semiconductors were also part of the discussions between the countries during Singh’s visit to the UK. The focus in the coming months will be to boost cooperation on strategic technologies in the hope of building a broader partnership.

“The UK government is determined to work with partners around the world, including India, to deliver world-class science and research, and last month the UK and India signed a landmark agreement on science, research and innovation. . We look forward to continuing to work closely with India on shared priorities at the G20 Research Ministerial Meeting in Mumbai later this year,” the UK’s science, innovation and technology department said in response to a query from mint.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to a query by press time.

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