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NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Earth Sciences; and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, held a bilateral meeting with the UK Minister for AI and Online Safety, Kanishka Narayan, on the sidelines of the ongoing AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam here. 36 year old Kanishka Narayan happens to be of Indian origin, hailing from the State of Bihar.
The meeting focused on strengthening India–UK collaboration in Artificial Intelligence, critical and emerging technologies, and research-driven innovation within the framework of the long-standing bilateral Science & Technology partnership.
India and the United Kingdom are working under an institutional mechanism anchored in the Science and Innovation Council (SIC), the apex body that reviews bilateral scientific cooperation between the two countries. The next meeting of the SIC is scheduled to be held in India in April 2026.
Both sides reviewed progress under the India–UK Research and Innovation MoU signed in April 2023, which promotes collaboration among government agencies, higher education institutions, research organisations, startups, and industry for long-term sustainable growth. Dr. Jitendra Singh shared India’s rapid advancement in innovation and technology ecosystems, reflected in its rise from 81st position in 2015 to 38th position in 2025 in the Global Innovation Index.He said that India’s scale, digital public infrastructure, expanding startup base and strong research capacity make it a preferred partner for global technology collaborations.
The discussions covered ongoing joint initiatives in telecom research, clean energy, biotechnology and agriculture, ocean and climate science, advanced materials and manufacturing, and quantum technologies.Under the DST–UKRI telecom collaboration, joint research projects in next-generation communication technologies have been initiated. In the area of industrial R&D, both countries are supporting projects in Net Zero technologies, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy storage, and sustainable systems.
The India–UK Net Zero Innovation Partnership is advancing scalable clean technology solutions, including electric mobility, hydrogen, industrial decarbonisation, and carbon capture initiatives. These collaborations are aligned with India’s broader goals of green growth and sustainable development.
The meeting also discussed progress towards establishing a Research and Innovation Corridor aimed at facilitating partnerships among startups, incubators, innovation hubs, and industry in both countries. The initiative is expected to strengthen technology exchange and support collaborative entrepreneurship.
India highlighted its flagship national missions, including the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, the Quantum Technology Mission, the Geospatial Mission, Electric Mobility initiatives, Deep Ocean Mission, and Biomanufacturing programmes, which offer expanded avenues for global partnerships.
The Indian delegation included Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology; senior representatives from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Ministry of External Affairs; Dr. Praveenkumar Somasundaram, Advisor & Head, International Cooperation, DST; and Dr. Sulakshana Jain, Scientist F, DST.
The UK delegation was led by Mr. Kanishka Narayan, who serves as the UK Minister for AI and Online Safety and oversees AI opportunities, semiconductors, intellectual property, tech growth, and online safety; Ms. Sophia Nestius-Booth, Regional Director, Science & Technology Network, British High Commission; Mr. Jack Landers, Head of Science & Innovation; and Mr. Jack Collins, Minister’s Private Secretary.
The bilateral engagement during the AI Summit reflects the shared commitment of India and the UK to deepen cooperation in frontier technologies and translate policy dialogue into tangible outcomes ahead of the forthcoming Science and Innovation Council meeting in April 2026.
