EAM Jaishankar, UK FS Lammy hold productive talks; new tech security initiative announced

New Delhi, July 25 (FN Agency) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held productive and engaging discussions with visiting UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, during which the launch of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative was announced, and also saw a push given to the FTA negotiations.Lammy, who is paying his first visit to India within a couple of weeks of his appointment, also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The EAM in a post on X said the two sides also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues and cooperation in multilateral forums.“Productive and engaging discussions with UK Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy this evening.

“Noted the immense potential to take forward the India-Great Britain Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, building on close links in trade & economy, defense & security, education, IT, digital, space & high tech, culture, mobility and people to people ties.“Welcomed the launch of the Technology Security Initiative that will open new avenues for collaboration.“Also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues and cooperation in multilateral forums.”Earlier, in his remarks at the beginning of the talks, the EAM said that the India-UK ties are a very important one with enormous possibilities.“And how we explore those possibilities, how do we realise our potential in a more meaningful way, is one of the tasks that I look forward to undertaking with you,” he said.“We are both countries which have a big global presence in different ways.

So I think it’s also important that India and the UK work together on global issues and in global platforms,” he added.Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the bilateral Technology Security Initiative and the desire to conclude a mutually beneficial FTA.In a post on X, PM Modi also appreciated the priority accorded by new UK PM Keir Starmer to deepen the strategic partnership with India.“A pleasure to meet UK FS @DavidLammy. Appreciate the priority accorded by PM @Keir_Starmer to broaden and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.“Remain committed to elevating the ties. Welcome the bilateral Technology Security Initiative and the desire to conclude a mutually beneficial FTA.”The UK-India Technology Security Initiative has been spearheaded and agreed by the National Security Advisors (NSAs) following negotiations between both countries to expand collaboration in critical and emerging technologies across priority sectors, said a UK High Commission statement.“It will set out a bold new approach for how the UK and India work together on the defining technologies of this decade – telecoms, critical minerals, AI, quantum, health/bio tech, advanced materials and semiconductors.“This first of its kind agreement – delivered by the Foreign Secretary on behalf of the UK Prime Minister – builds on a series of partnerships between British and Indian Government, industry and academia.

The respective National Security Advisers will take this agreement forward to ensure the collective potential of UK-Indian critical technologies is harnessed,” it said.  The announcement is part of a wider package of announcements the Foreign Secretary agreed following bilateral meetings in New Delhi with Prime Minister Modi and Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar to refresh the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This will drive forward a bilateral partnership that is framed on boosting economic growth, deepening co-operation across key issues including trade, technology, education, culture and climate, the statement said. A new pounds 7-million funding call for Future Telecoms research was also announced by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and India’s Department of Science and Technology, under the India-UK science, technology, and innovation partnership.Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said: “This government will put growth at the heart of our foreign policy. That’s why three weeks into the job, I am in Delhi announcing a new Technology Security Initiative to deliver on the promise of the UK-India relationship.“This will mean real action together on the challenges of the future from AI to critical minerals. Together we can unlock mutual growth, boost innovation, jobs and investment.”