India and the United Kingdom have announced an innovative technology security initiative designed to stimulate economic growth and enhance bilateral cooperation, according to an AP report. This announcement came during the first official visit to India by the UK’s newly appointed Foreign Secretary.
Under this groundbreaking agreement, both nations will work together on critical technological advancements, focusing on essential minerals, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and telecommunications. Moreover, the initiative aims to strengthen partnerships in climate action, trade, technology, and education, as British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated.
“This agreement signifies tangible steps towards addressing future challenges, from AI to essential minerals. Our joint efforts can unlock mutual growth, drive innovation, create jobs, and attract investment,” Lammy remarked.
During discussions with his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the two officials also committed to reinforcing defense and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. They tackled various global issues, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, as per a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Lammy stressed that his visit to India underscores a major focus of the new UK government’s foreign policy: re-establishing relations with Europe, particularly concerning climate action and engagement with the Global South.
The UK’s Labour Party, which won a decisive victory in the July 4 elections, aims to “reset and relaunch” UK-India relations. This includes resuming formal negotiations on a free trade agreement, a significant objective for former Prime Minister Boris Johnson following the UK’s exit from the European Union in 2020.
During his visit, Lammy also met with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi expressed his support for the new technology security initiative and shared optimism about finalizing a free trade agreement in a social media post.
The trade agreement aims to double bilateral trade, which stood at $50 billion in 2022, by 2030. Johnson had ambitiously aimed to finalize the deal by Diwali in October 2022. However, the 13 rounds of negotiations conducted before talks were paused due to the 2024 general elections in both countries had not yet yielded a conclusive agreement.
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This new technology security initiative between India and the UK marks a significant step in fostering economic growth, innovation, and stronger bilateral ties. By collaborating on AI, semiconductors, and essential minerals, both nations are poised to tackle future challenges and drive mutual prosperity.
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