The UK and India agreed on Wednesday to a broad “Technology Security Initiative” that will see the two nations collaborate in ways it’s hoped will unlock investment.
The Initiative (TSI) was launched in Delhi by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and UK foreign secretary David Lammy.
The TSI will be coordinated by two nations’ national security advisors, with progress reviewed every six months.
The telecom collaboration will see research focused on Open RAN systems, testbed linkups, spectrum innovation, software and systems architecture, according to a UK policy paper.
It will also include a partnership between UK and Indian R&D agencies and orgs to improve telecom network security and performance. Universities and other institutions will work on next-generation telecom technologies and promote 6G collaboration.
Business will be encouraged to work across countries on each others’ 4G/5G/6G stack and enterprise connectivity, connected devices, edge computing and green tech adoption, plus scale up efforts for those technologies.
An accompanying £7 million ($9 million) funding call for Future Telecoms research was announced by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and India’s Department of Science and Technology.
The two countries aim to foster collaboration between academic and industrial R&D efforts for chip design and IP, compound semiconductors, and advanced packaging. More chip-related trade missions between UK and Indian semiconductor makers are on the cards. The duo also want to work together on silicon supply chains.
The goal for AI includes developing more human-centric AI frameworks, enhancing interoperability, and collaboration on AI policy, bias detection, and work in global forums. The UK and India will also establish a joint Centre for Responsible AI composed of experts in academia and industry from both countries.
The two nations will venture into the quantum realm for high-level dialog on relevant, joint hackathons, entrepreneurship training, and academic exchanges.
Secretary of state for science, Peter Kyle, used the label “powerhouse for science, innovation and technology” when referring to both the UK and India.
Modi Xweeted he “[appreciated] the priority accorded by PM Keir Starmer” to broaden and deepen partnerships and that he “[remains] committed to elevating the ties.”
India is working to make itself a tech innovation heavyweight. The government has invested in new technology including AI supercomputers and semiconductors.
The nation has managed to increase its manufacturing prowess after ten years of the “Made in India” campaign – an initiative that offers subsidies and incentives to lure industry to its shores and frame India as a tech hub.
Those efforts have seen India on track to account for a quarter of all iPhone manufacturing by 2028 – marking a shift from China’s dominance in this sector. ®
