Policy Watch: UK and India sign tech deal; upcoming events
Join us at several varied events in the next couple of months.
Dear all,
This week’s Policy Watch comes from Dinesh Dhamija, who writes about the new deal signed during David Lammy’s visit to India a few days ago. Scroll down for more.
We’ve got several varied events in the pipeline: our Forest Essentials evening with Noreen Khan on 27 Aug in Covent Garden; delegation to the 33rd Economic Forum in Poland on 3-5 Sept; lots of Members at the 22nd Asian Achievers Awards on 20 Sept at Hilton on Park Lane; and an event assessing UK-Relations under Labour with Navendu Mishra MP on 15 Oct.
Where else would you get access to such a wide range of opportunities to build your network and explore new knowledge exchange opportunities? Become a Member today.
Planning for the Ideas for India conference, part of India Week, in 2025 has started. If you’d like to be involved please get in touch to explore partnership opportunities.
In the news
I chose to come to the UK to study because of the quality of the educational institutions here. I would make an assumption that many other Indian students come to do the same. By being exposed to a wide variety of individuals and global conversations, I have been able to expand my critical engagement with issues that concern me. This is especially relevant to me as a student studying Politics and International Relations.
Former Bridge India intern Kaviesh Kinger writes exclusively for us too, on why he chose the UK to study.
Former First Minister of Northern Ireland Baroness Arlene Foster, writes exclusively for Bridge India on why she set up the Together UK Foundation and her ties with India.
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Upcoming events
33rd Economic Forum (3-5 Sept, Karpacz, Poland | Book here)
The Economic Forum in Karpacz is the largest meeting platform in Central and Eastern Europe, where not only security, perspectives of economic development, contemporary challenges and overcoming crises, but also presents specific solutions and innovative ideas.
It takes place over three days, with 350+ sessions and 6,000+ guests including several dozen Ministers, Prime Ministers and business leaders, on 3-5 September in the city of Karpacz in Lower Silesia in Poland. Details can be found on the website link above or this brochure.
Bridge India is once again a Partner, bringing an Indian delegation and hosting a session on Taking Advantage of the India Opportunity. This week is the last opportunity to join our delegation.
Finding balance … with Forest Essentials (5:30pm, Tues 27 Aug | Covent Garden)
Join award-winning radio and TV presenter Noreen Khan at Forest Essentials’ flagship Covent garden store. You will get to hear from Noreen about her life journey, finding work/life balance and more.
We’ve partnered with luxury Ayurveda brand, Forest Essentials. At their store, you will get a chance to discover a personalised skincare routine based on your dosha type. You can also take a quiz on your phone and indulge in the world of luxurious Ayurveda.
When: 5:30pm, Tues 27 August
Where: Forest Essentials, 28 James St, London WC2E 8PA (closest tube station: Covent Garden)
RSVP: Max 6 places available for non-Members, email smita@bridgeindia.org.uk. We expect to be over-subscribed so please only treat your place as confirmed if you’ve got an official email confirmation back from us. Non-alcoholic drinks and canapes served.
22nd Asian Achievers Awards (Fri 20 Sept, London Hilton on Park Lane | tickets)
The Asian Achievers Awards recognise the outstanding work of individuals within the South Asian community. Established in 2000 and held annually since then, it is consistently recognised by the community as the most prestigious and highly respected such Awards in the calendar, with a net worth of the audience consistently worth £tens of billions. Bridge India is a partner to the Awards.
The evening will be hosted by actor Nitin Ganatra OBE; and ITV News presenter and former AAA winner Anila Dhami. It will start with a Drinks Reception at 6pm, followed by a sit-down dinner, awards and entertainment from standup comedian Ahir Shah and others from 7:15pm, and close by 11pm, followed by an afterparty with BBC DJ Vallisa Chauhan and live music.
When: 6pm until late, Fri 20 Sept
Where: London Hilton on Park Lane
Tickets: Click here. Get in touch for special prices available for Bridge India Members.
The future of UK-India relations: In Conversation With Navendu Mishra MP (6:30pm, 15 October | central London)
New Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited India in just his third week in office, meeting both his counterpart Dr Jaishankar, as well as PM Narendra Modi. He said the UK’s relationship with India had been “underperforming” and that he sought to reset it.
So in a Labour front bench that has far fewer Indian faces than the Conservatives over the last year 14 years, but one which offers stability in policymaking over the coming Parliament, what do future UK-India relations look like?
Join us in conversation with Navendu Mishra MP for a deep-dive into this topic.
When: 6:30pm, Tues 15 October
Where: Central London, details provided to confirmed guests
RSVP: Email contact@bridgeindia.org.uk requesting a space. Preference given to Bridge India Members.
Policy Watch: UK and India sign tech deal
As the two countries work towards a full trade agreement, the UK and India announced a new tech deal – the Technology Security Initiative (TSI) – to deepen collaboration across industry and research.
Launched in Delhi in late July by recently-re-elected Indian PM Narendra Modi and newly-elected UK foreign secretary David Lammy, the TSI will connect British and Indian university research teams, businesses and organisations, working together on issues like telecoms connectivity, network security and performance.
Teams from the UK and India will work on each other’s 4G, 5G and 6G systems, developing next-generation solutions such as connected devices, ‘edge’ computing and green technology. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and India’s Department of Science and Technology announced a £7 million funding call for Future Telecoms research.
The deal comes at a time when India is investing heavily in its technology manufacturing future, aiming to lure businesses away from China and other Asian countries, through its Make in India programme. India is on schedule to host a quarter of all iPhone manufacturing by 2028, signalling an upsurge in tech production in the country.
Computer chip design, semiconductor research and advanced packaging are among areas of cooperation under the new deal, together with trade missions between the two countries for semiconductor makers and discussion of silicon supply chains. They also plan to work on humancentric AI frameworks and collaborate on AI policy, for example to establish a Centre for Responsible AI, involving academic and industry experts.
Narendra Modi has made leadership in technology into a signature policy of his administration, with Indian companies and organisations developing solutions which enable hundreds of millions of people to trade and transfer money digitally, creating huge efficiency savings and raising tax revenues through cutting out the black market. Indian technology has been adopted by many other countries, particularly in the global south, where it has achieved similar breakthroughs for low-income groups.
Forging a new partnership with the UK demonstrates the strength of India’s technological expertise, with its businesses and research groups on a level with those of G7 member Britain. In 2023 India overtook the UK to become the world’s fifth-largest economy, although its GDP per capita remains a fraction of Britain’s ($2,500 compared with $50,000).
UK secretary of state for science, Peter Kyle, referred to India as a “powerhouse for science, innovation and technology,” while India’s Narendra Modi said that he appreciated “the priority accorded by PM Kier Starmer” to deepen the partnership between the two countries, which Modi is also committed to doing.
A full trade deal may still be some way off, but these are encouraging noises from both sides.
Dinesh Dhamija founded, built and sold online travel agency ebookers.com, before serving as a Member of the European Parliament. Since then, he has created the largest solar PV and hydrogen businesses in Romania. Dinesh’s latest book is The Indian Century.
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The Bridge India Team
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