In a significant development, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy convened with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Wednesday, leading to the introduction of a fresh “Technology Security Initiative” (TSI). This initiative, made public on Wednesday, aims to bolster the strategic alliance between India and the United Kingdom by focusing on advancing collaboration in crucial and emerging technologies spanning various sectors such as telecommunications, critical minerals, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and advanced materials. The unveiling of the TSI underscores the escalating importance of technology and the strategic imperative to counterbalance the escalating global influence of China.
During the visit, Lammy engaged in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who commended British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s efforts to deepen the bilateral partnership. Modi restated his dedication to advancing bilateral relations and welcomed both the TSI and the ongoing talks for a free trade agreement (FTA). The TSI will be overseen by the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of both nations through existing and new dialogues, with a focus on identifying key areas of collaboration and managing interdependencies to promote strong partnerships in the technology value chain. Progress on the initiative will be assessed semi-annually at the Deputy NSA level. Furthermore, a bilateral framework will be established, led by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the UK government.
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