India and the United Kingdom have announced a groundbreaking technology security partnership designed to boost economic growth and strengthen bilateral ties. This development came as the UK’s newly appointed Foreign Secretary made his first official visit to India.
The new accord will see both countries work together on key technological fields, including critical minerals, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and telecommunications. The agreement also aims to enhance collaboration in climate action, trade, technology, and education, according to British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Lammy stated, "This agreement marks a significant step in addressing future challenges, from AI to essential minerals. Our joint efforts will drive innovation, create jobs, and attract investment."
During his visit, Lammy and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also committed to strengthening defense and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. They discussed global issues such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as reported by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Lammy noted that his visit underscores the new UK government's focus on rebuilding relations with Europe and engaging with the Global South. Following a decisive victory in the July 4 elections, the UK’s Labour Party aims to "reset and relaunch" UK-India relations, including resuming negotiations on a free trade agreement. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson had set a goal to finalize this deal by Diwali in October 2022, but talks were halted due to elections in both countries.
During his trip, Lammy also met with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi showed support for the new technology security initiative and expressed optimism about finalizing the free trade agreement. The goal is to double bilateral trade, which was $50 billion in 2022, by 2030. Although 13 rounds of negotiations were held before talks were paused, a conclusive agreement has yet to be reached.
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