India–UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI): Advancing Strategic Technology Cooperation (2024)

Policy Update
Dolly Kaushik

BACKGROUND

In light of the India-UK Vision 2035 and the pivotal role of critical technologies in the evolving global order, the Technology Security Initiative (TSI) was launched on 24 July 2024 as a bilateral strategic initiative between India and the United Kingdom. The initiative was officially launched by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy during his visit to India on behalf of the UK Prime Minister.  

The TSI is India’s second NSA-anchored strategic cooperation framework, the first being the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), launched in January 2023 in collaboration with the United States (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2025).

Initially built upon the India-UK Roadmap 2030, the TSI aims to strengthen the joint capability of both nations in Critical and Emerging Technologies (CETs), representing a strategic bilateral alignment in key technology areas. The National Security Advisers (NSAs) of India and the UK direct this initiative to facilitate cooperation in building advanced strategic technology, resilient supply chains, and joint innovation. Implementation and operational development are reviewed on a semi-annual basis at the Deputy NSA level (UK Government, 2024).

This initiative prioritises seven key strategic areas: Telecoms, Critical Minerals, Semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technology, Health/Bio technology and Advanced Materials. Both countries view this as a strategic milestone to build and grow sustainably across core technology areas, complementing existing strategic bilateral agreements.

FUNCTIONING

Figure 1: India–UK Technology Security Initiative (2024) Seven Strategic Pillars.

Source: Author’s illustration based on UK Government (2024).

The operational framework of the Technology Security Initiative (TSI) is based on an integrated, multi-tiered approach designed to foster commercial innovation, research collaboration, and industry-to-industry dialogue across seven core technology areas. The initiative is jointly led by the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of India and the United Kingdom, with implementation coordinated through relevant ministries, government agencies, academia, and industry stakeholders. It also seeks to align regulatory frameworks, strengthen resilient supply chains, and accelerate cooperation in Critical and Emerging Technologies (CETs). Progress and operational implementation are reviewed on a semi-annual basis at the Deputy NSA level (UK Government, 2024).

1. Telecom: The Indian and UK governments have established a Future Telecom Network Partnership that focuses on joint research into next-generation telecommunication technology, supporting 6G testbed initiatives, spectrum innovation, and advancement of disaggregated Open RAN systems to enhance telecom security and network resilience. The partnership between India’s Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the Department of Telecommunications’ Telecom Startup Mission, and the UK’s SONIC Labs provides a collaborative environment for testing and accelerating the development of new telecom products and solutions.

2. Critical Minerals: This pillar focuses on developing an end-to-end critical mineral value chain spanning from initial exploration and extraction to processing and advanced manufacturing. Both nations are committed to aligning best practices on ESG standards. The collaboration between Indian research institutes such as IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, and CSIR Laboratories with UK counterparts including the University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing and the University of Birmingham Centre for Strategic Elements and Critical Minerals (BCSECM) focuses on pioneering technology to extract critical minerals from end-of-life products through advanced recycling processes.

The British Geological Survey (BGS), along with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and IREL (India) Limited, will research 3D geological modelling techniques to enhance extraction and exploration methods for critical mineral resources and potential rare earth element-rich zones.

3. Semiconductors: This pillar aims to catalyse joint research and design ventures across the semiconductor value chain, focusing on chip fabrication, advanced packaging, wafer development, and compound semiconductor applications. To enhance resilience in the semiconductor sector, the initiative prioritises diversifying global supply chains, knowledge-sharing programmes for workforce development, and increased trade and investment between semiconductor firms. Furthermore, it establishes a cooperative mechanism to overcome structural bottlenecks related to raw material access, complex engineering, and next-generation device development (UK Government, 2024).

4. Artificial Intelligence: The core objective here is the development of responsible and reliable AI systems that are ethical and human-centric. Key features include the establishment of joint research centres dedicated to AI, facilitating widespread adoption across various domains including health, climate, fintech, and bioengineering; using AI to address global challenges such as the Weather and Climate Science for Services Partnership (WCSSP) and the UK-India Education Research Initiative; equipping researchers, policymakers, and professionals with specialised knowledge for capacity building; and collaborating actively within key international frameworks like the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and AI Safety Summits.

5. Quantum Technology: The partnership seeks to deepen the science and technology dialogue by bridging the UK’s established quantum research clusters with India’s National Quantum Mission (launched in April 2023), with the objective of moving beyond theoretical research to building an industrial-scale quantum ecosystem. Both nations will support joint fellowships and hackathons in quantum algorithms and entrepreneurship training programmes to equip researchers and professionals with the necessary skills for domains like automotive and life sciences. The initiative intends to foster co-development of quantum infrastructure through joint research into quantum computing, sensing, and communication.

6. Biotechnology and Health Tech: This sector targets scaling biomanufacturing processes and developing sustainable materials essential for next-generation pharmaceuticals. Advanced research in precision medicine, genomics, cell and gene therapy, 3D bioprinting, biomaterials, and biofabrication through partnerships like Oxford Nanopore Technologies and India’s Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC-CDFD) leads to improved personalised therapeutic and preventive interventions. It also emphasises FemTech to promote innovation in women’s healthcare, ensuring new technology remains inclusive and responsive to diverse health needs.

7. Advanced Materials: This pillar focuses on the development of high-performance materials to reduce dependency and steer the development of industrially sustainable components for future infrastructure. This includes engineering powerhouses, advanced materials for extreme environments, and manufacturing materials used in industries such as glass, paper, ceramics, and chemicals. Collaboration between the University of Manchester’s National Graphene Institute, the University of Cambridge Graphene Centre, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru’s Centre for Nanoscience and Engineering in the domain of nanotechnology seeks to leverage a high-impact research and innovation framework to expedite the commercial viability of next-generation nanomaterials.

PERFORMANCE

Figure 2: Launch of the UK–India Technology Security Initiative during the UK Foreign Secretary’s visit to India, July 2024.

Source: Government of India (via UK Government, 2024).

The following table presents the operational status and key developments across the seven pillars of the TSI as of mid-2026.

Source: Compiled by the author using UK Government (2024), Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2025), IndiaAI (2024), BISI (2025).

IMPACT

The Technology Security Initiative marks a fundamental evolution in the UK-India bilateral relationship. The framework fosters a collaborative value chain partnership with a long-term commitment to frontier technologies.

Following the success of the US-India iCET, the TSI stands as the second major technology cooperation mechanism anchored by the National Security Advisers of both nations. Together, these partnerships establish a robust dual-pillar framework that empowers India to spearhead global tech governance and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of emerging critical technologies.

The adoption of the UK’s Catapult model that connects research and industry is currently being operationalised through the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre. This model directly impacts India by providing a technology incubator that accelerates early-stage innovation such as 6G Open RAN systems, allowing Indian firms to move from prototype to commercial application.

Furthermore, the TSI enables both nations to pool their resources for enriched research and innovation, enabling the pursuit of moonshot projects. The primary focus area here is collaborative research into 2D semiconductors and graphene with an objective of achieving commercial-grade production for next-generation electronics. Through this, India is not only accelerating its technology advancement but also proactively securing the essential raw materials required to fuel its high-tech sectors.

Beyond domestic development, the TSI empowers India to influence global digital architecture and shape the rules governing the future digital landscape. Through this, India coordinates in critical international forums such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). This strategic alignment allows India to advocate for its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model at the global level, ensuring effective governance in frontier technology from quantum computing to artificial intelligence.

By leveraging the integration of academic and industrial laboratories that operate across complementary time zones, the partnership may support more continuous research cycles, potentially maximising India’s scientific output, transforming national priorities such as the National Quantum Mission (2023-2031) into globally competitive initiatives that set the benchmark for international technology cooperation.

The TSI serves as a strategic mechanism to de-risk supply chains in semiconductors and critical minerals. A flagship development is the India-UK Critical Mineral Global Supply Chain Observatory, launched in June 2026. The partnership also encourages the repurposing of existing infrastructure into brownfield semiconductor fabs, allowing India to rapidly scale production and insulate its economy from single-source supplier dependence.

On the diplomatic front, the TSI amplifies India and the UK’s combined influence within multilateral forums such as the G20, GPAI, and the UN on AI governance. By coordinating their agendas, both nations are actively shaping emerging standards for AI safety, ethics, and governance. Ultimately, India and the UK are emerging as core partners in the governance of frontier technology, ensuring that future digital systems are built upon supply chain resilience and collaborative standards necessary to secure a stable and inclusive digital future.

EMERGING ISSUES

While the Technology Security Initiative signals a new era of bilateral cooperation, it faces several structural obstacles that could slow down tangible industrial impact. A central tension lies in the digital policy of both nations. The UK advocates free cross-border data flows and open digital markets, whereas India’s domestic digital policy is inclined towards data localisation and sovereignty. The absence of binding commitments on data movement in this bilateral framework creates a compliance burden for technology companies, which may hinder the seamless integration of AI and telecommunications R&D.

The implementation gap is also a major problem because this collaborative framework lacks enforceable binding mechanisms seen in other global technology agreements. Because much of the cooperation relies on non-binding Memoranda of Understanding and dialogue-based mechanisms, progress is highly susceptible to bureaucratic friction, inconsistency, and shifts in government priorities.

Despite the TSI’s goals, UK-based technology firms continue to encounter market entry barriers in India. The persistence of stringent domestic preference mandates, alongside a frequent tendency to limit state-level government contracts to local entities, risks capping the practical benefits of this partnership. Consequently, the degree of market access currently available remains more restrictive than what the UK has secured through its recent, more comprehensive free trade agreements with other global partners.

Furthermore, the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), which oversees the licensing of military and dual-use technology, has faced criticism for its relatively limited track record in providing timely, predictable approvals for high-tech ventures that depend on the seamless transfer of critical components. These administrative delays can act as a de facto barrier, complicating the very cross-border innovation that the TSI seeks to accelerate (BISI, 2025).

The TSI has successfully fostered high-profile moonshot projects like the graphene research collaboration. However, there remains a critical risk that these projects will stagnate as isolated islands of innovation. Transitioning these early-stage technology projects into large-scale, commercial-grade industrial production requires long-term capital and structural reforms, particularly in patent frameworks and the enforcement of intellectual property rights that are not yet adequately addressed by this initiative (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2025).

Because the TSI is strategically steered by the NSAs of both nations, it is inherently governed by a security-first logic. While this high-level oversight provides strong political momentum, there is a distinct risk that it could lead to overly stringent export control regimes. The resulting regulatory hurdles could unintentionally stifle the very cross-border academic and commercial collaboration that the TSI is intended to promote.

WAY FORWARD

To elevate the partnership beyond non-binding memoranda, it is imperative to establish a formal strategic trade dialogue modelled after the success of the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) (January 2023). This would provide a permanent forum for addressing licensing, export control, and regulatory frictions, and would help transition from a collection of project-based dialogues into a permanent, predictable mechanism for long-term security cooperation.

To bridge the gap between theoretical research and commercial viability, the partnership requires an ecosystem that connects capital with innovation. To translate fundamental research into scalable industrial output, the partnership must establish a dedicated bilateral innovation infrastructure similar to the US-India Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) (June 2023). This mechanism would convene venture capital firms, startups, and established industry incumbents to co-develop dual-use technologies in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum systems, and biotechnology.

To mitigate regulatory ambiguity, both governments should conduct joint Export Control Workshops co-run by think tanks, industry bodies, and relevant national security departments. These workshops should focus on demystifying licensing processes for dual-use technologies. The initiative must advocate for the expansion of Open General Export Licences (OGELs) for targeted high-tech sectors to alleviate administrative friction and accelerate collaboration. By fostering a common interpretation of these security protocols, both nations can ensure that regulatory safeguards facilitate the cross-border innovation they were designed to secure.

The partnership should replicate the UK’s successful ‘Catapult’ model by establishing joint deep-tech infrastructure centres in India. These facilities, equipped with specialised clean rooms, testing environments, and advanced prototyping capabilities, would provide a dedicated platform for advancing technologies beyond initial laboratory research. By targeting higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 6–8), these centres will focus on rigorous prototype development and commercial-grade testing, effectively transitioning the TSI from a research-centric dialogue into an engine of industrial co-production.

To reconcile the divergence between India’s data localisation requirements and the UK’s open-data approach, the implementation of a ‘Trusted Data Corridor’ for TSI-specific projects offers a viable path forward. This mechanism would facilitate the secure, cross-border transmission of industrial and research data for authorised initiatives such as AI-integrated telecommunications or critical mineral supply-chain tracking without necessitating a restructuring of national data laws. It can foster a high-trust environment where data-intensive innovations can proceed seamlessly, ensuring that bilateral collaboration remains consistent with the broader domestic regulatory frameworks of each country.

To insulate the TSI from shifting political cycles, both nations should establish a dedicated TSI Secretariat. This body would provide the administrative continuity required to oversee projects beyond the scope of biannual NSA-level reviews, ensuring long-term project lifecycle management and accountability.

To bridge the funding gap, the two countries should launch a Joint Startup and Venture Capital Fund. This fund would provide the capital necessary to de-risk deep-tech collaborations, incentivising private equity to support startups working in quantum, biotech, and semiconductor design.

Finally, the TSI should formally expand its mandate to include data governance and cybersecurity as explicit, foundational pillars. Given the role of data in fuelling AI and 6G, establishing clear bilateral protocols for secure, compliant data flows is essential for the longevity of the partnership.

REFERENCES 

UK Government. (2024). UK-India Technology Security Initiative factsheet. Government of the United Kingdom. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-india-technology-security-initiative-factsheet

High Commission of India, London. (2026). Technology Security Initiative (TSI). High Commission of India. https://www.hcilondon.gov.in/page/technology-security-initiative-tsi

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (2025). The India–United Kingdom Technology and Security Initiative: Ideas for change. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/05/the-india-united-kingdom-technology-and-security-initiative-ideas-for-change

BISI. (2025). UK-India Technology Security Initiative: A new outlook on tech and security cooperation. Bloomsbury Intelligence and Security Institute. https://bisi.org.uk/reports/uk-india-technology-security-initiative-a-new-outlook-on-tech-and-security-cooperation

Indian Defence News. (2026, May 3). India-UK Technology Security Initiative seen as strategic investment to safeguard supply chains. https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2026/05/india-uk-technology-security-initiative.html

IndiaAI. (2024). India and UK launch Technology Security Initiative to enhance strategic partnership. IndiaAI, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. https://indiaai.gov.in/article/india-and-uk-launch-technology-security-initiative-to-enhance-strategic-partnership

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR

Dolly Kaushik is a postgraduate student of Public Administration with an interdisciplinary academic foundation in Life Science. Her work explores the geopolitical dimensions of emerging technologies, global governance, and international affairs. She is currently a Research Intern at IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author extends her sincere gratitude to the IMPRI team for their invaluable guidance throughout the process. I also extend my sincere thanks to Neha Kumari and Devanandana for their valuable feedback.

DISCLAIMER 

All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the organisation.

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