UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy during his inaugural visit to India unveiled the UK-India Technology Security Initiative in a bid to enhance bilateral cooperation in semiconductor technology. This gesture highlights the commitment of both nations to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership while focusing on critical areas such as supply chain resilience, skills development, and hardware security.
According to a joint statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, “We (India and UK) will work towards a broad UK-India semiconductor partnership. Our activities will leverage the countries’ individual strengths and incentives; and explore mutually beneficial R&D focused on strategic issues such as supply chain resilience collaboration, skills exchanges and hardware security.”
The statement added, “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.”
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What Are The Key Components Of This Initiative
The initiative has five pillars, namely – Research and Development collaboration, Workforce development, Supply chain integration, and Security and Resilience.
- R&D: Collaborative endeavours in chip design, compound semiconductors, and advanced packaging, prioritising applications crucial to the interests of both countries, including telecommunications, cybersecurity, and sustainable technologies.
- Workforce: Exchange programs aimed at enhancing the technical skills of the semiconductor workforce, ensuring preparedness for future industry demands.
- Trade and Investment: Promotion of trade missions between UK and Indian semiconductor firms to boost bilateral trade and bolster economic relationships.
- Supply Chain Integration: Promotion of increased collaboration in semiconductor chip and wafer manufacturing, promoting joint ventures and business partnerships between companies from India and the UK.
- Security and Resilience: Joint initiatives aimed at strengthening the robustness of semiconductor supply chains, tackling issues concerning raw materials, components, and device security through expert consultations and global cooperation.
The announcement is one of several initiatives the Foreign Secretary committed to after bilateral meetings in New Delhi with PM Modi and EAM Jaishankar, aimed at revitalising the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
UK Foreign Secretary Calls Upon PM Modi & EAM Jaishankar
During Lammy’s visit, he held important discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar, focusing on broadening cooperation in defence, security, trade, and investment.
The Technology Security Initiative emerged as a pivotal aspect of this strengthened partnership, aiming to harness India’s manufacturing capabilities alongside the UK’s expertise in chip design and intellectual property.
