UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy unveiled the UK-India Technology Security Initiative during his inaugural visit to India
India UK Forge Semiconductors Partnership
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy unveiled the UK-India Technology Security Initiative during his inaugural visit to India, marking a significant stride towards enhancing bilateral cooperation in semiconductor technology. This initiative underscores both nations’ commitment to bolstering their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on critical areas such as supply chain resilience, skills development, and hardware security.
The UK Foreign Secretary is scheduled to travel from India to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Laos, where he will advance UK economic partnerships and unveil new cooperation on climate and health.
“The UK and India recognise that quantum is an important area for discussion. We will respond to the rapidly changing technological landscape by establishing a high-level dialogue to gain an in-depth understanding of our national quantum strategies, to shape the contours of possible future research and industry and collaboration opportunities between our two countries,” the joint statement added.
India Semiconductor Mission
Government is focused on its important objective of building the overall semiconductor ecosystem and ensure that, it in-turn catalyzes India’s rapidly expanding electronics manufacturing and innovation ecosystem.  This vision of Atmanirbharta in electronics & semiconductors was given further momentum by the Union Cabinet, chaired by the HPM, approving the Semicon India programme with a total outlay of INR 76,000 crore for the development of semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem.
Indo-UK Partnership
India is a key strategic partner for the UK in the Indo-Pacific both in terms of market share and defence, as was underscored by the signing of the Defence and International Security Partnership between India and the UK in 2015. For Britain, a successful conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India would provide a boost to its ‘Global Britain’ ambitions as the UK has sought to expand its markets beyond Europe since Brexit. Starting a biennial ministerial UK-India science and innovation council to set the agenda for the two governments’ science, research and innovation collaborations will improve relations.
