On the first anniversary of the India-UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI), Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer have reaffirmed their vision to harness cutting-edge technologies to fuel economic growth and ensure strategic resilience in an increasingly complex global landscape.
Launched in 2024, the TSI has rapidly evolved into a cornerstone of the India-UK strategic partnership. It has fostered collaboration across high-impact sectors including telecom innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), critical minerals and biotechnology. Both nations have committed to expanding the initiative into new frontier domains, unlocking fresh opportunities for industry, academia, and startups on both sides.
Tech Sovereignty Through Collaboration
Over the past year, the TSI has led to a series of tangible milestones:
• A £7 million joint research programme on Future Telecoms was initiated to advance 5G/6G technologies and establish joint Open RAN testbeds.
• Collaboration between India’s Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and the UK’s SONIC (Smart RAN Open Network Interoperability Centre) has formalised bilateral engagement in next-generation telecoms innovation and testing.
• The first UK-India AI Conference, held in Bengaluru earlier this year, kickstarted a sustained dialogue on the ethical and responsible deployment of AI technologies.
Critical Minerals Take Centre Stage
One of the standout achievements of the TSI has been the establishment of the UK–India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory, the first of its kind globally. Following the successful completion of its first phase, a second phase backed by £1.8 million in new funding will create the world’s most comprehensive digital infrastructure for tracking and analysing critical mineral supply chains. A new satellite campus at the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad will further enhance research capacity.
To institutionalise cooperation in this strategic area, both sides have announced the formation of a UK-India Critical Minerals Guild. It will work to reform global financing standards, promote sustainable mining practices and advance recycling and traceability. Emphasising circular economy principles, the partnership aims to secure supply chains essential for semiconductors, batteries and clean energy technologies.
AI, Telecom, Biotech And More
Looking ahead, the TSI will evolve to include:
• A UK-India Joint AI Centre focused on real-world applications of AI in public services, manufacturing and financial services while ensuring trust and transparency.
• The launch of an India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre, which will drive research into AI-powered telecom networks, secure 5G and 6G and space-based communications systems. Collaboration will also extend to international telecom standard-setting bodies such as the ITU and 3GPP.
• A deeper push into biotechnology through a potential UK-India BioTech Accelerator that will support innovation in bio-manufacturing, biofoundries, bioprinting and sustainable agriculture.
Parallelly, the two countries are continuing their work on graphene and other 2D materials, further enhancing their shared research agenda in advanced materials and emerging sciences.
Strategic Pillar For National Security
At the heart of the TSI lies a dual commitment: to catalyse economic innovation and reinforce national security in an era marked by geopolitical shifts and technological disruption. The expansion of the initiative into secure-by-design technologies, resilient supply chains and emerging digital infrastructure underscores its growing role in aligning India-UK national security priorities.
Call To Innovators And Industry
Both leaders have invited deeper engagement from start-ups, private sector players and universities, highlighting the TSI as a platform that not only delivers innovation but also scales it with global relevance.
With the TSI entering its next chapter, the India-UK partnership is being positioned not only as a bilateral cooperation model but also as a potential global template for trusted, values-led technology collaboration in the 21st century.
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