Enhance partnership in science, education, research and innovation

• The Prime Minister of India and the UK  met virtually on 4 May 2021 and emphasised their shared commitment to an enhanced partnership in science, education, research and innovation.
• In keeping with this commitment, both the leaders welcomed the following:
• The new MoU on Telecommunications/ICT and the Joint Declaration of Intent on Digital and Technology.
• There was also the establishment of new high-level dialogues on tech.
• A new joint rapid research investment into Covid19.
• A new partnership to support zoonotic research,
• New investment to advance understanding of weather and climate science.
• There will be continuation of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).

Key points to strengthen STI cooperation

• Enhance cooperation between India and the UK on strengthening the role of women in STEM at schools, universities, and research institutions through initiatives like Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) project.
• Develop collaborations between Industry, Academia and the Government to foster innovation among school students by focusing on teacher training, mentoring and sharing of global best practices through initiatives like the India Innovation Competency Enhancement Program (IICEP)
• Build on the two countries’ existing bilateral research, science and innovation infrastructure and governmental relationships to continue to support high-quality, high-impact research and innovation through joint processes.
• Forge partnership across the pipeline of research and innovation activity, from basic research to applied and interdisciplinary research.
• Leverage and build on existing, long-standing bilateral partnerships such as on education, research and innovation, to stimulate a joint pipeline of talent, excellent researchers and early-career innovators.
• Work together to share knowledge and expertise regarding artificial intelligence, scientific support to policies and regulatory aspects including ethics, and promote a dialogue in research and innovation.
• Through Tech Summits, bring together tech innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs and policy makers to work together on challenges including the norms and governance of future tech under the cross-cutting theme of ‘data’.
•  Grow programmes such as the Fast Track Start-Up Fund to nurture innovation-led, sustainable growth and jobs, and tech solutions that benefit both countries.

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