To foster stronger technological collaboration and links, the UK India Business Council organized a conference in New Delhi with a technology theme. The conference brought together notable leaders and professionals from government, industry, and academia. The keynote talk at the conference on "Technology transformation and new frontiers for collaboration" was given by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, to an audience of top business leaders and stakeholders from the UK and India.

 

In a fireside conversation with UKIBC Group CEO Richard McCallum, PSA Prof. Ajay K. Sood said, "India has witnessed unprecedented growth in IT, Space tech, Defence, digital public goods, and many areas. To continue on this path of tech transformation, we need a forward-looking strategy." Prof. Sood spoke of the development of emerging technologies taking place in India – such as A.I., quantum, blockchain, IoT. He said digitalisation and skill development are core to India's development agenda.

 

To increase commerce, investment, and collaboration, the UKIBC has helped more than 700 enterprises in both nations. It views technology collaboration as the primary cornerstone for cooperation in important fields like telecommunications, financial services, defense, education, and renewable technologies. UKIBC Group CEO Richard McCallum said: "At UKIBC, we see the future UK-India relationship and indeed our countries' relationships with the rest of the world being infused by technology collaboration. As each country helps the other solve local as well global, shared challenges."

 

A research and innovation agreement that was recently signed by India and the UK in April of this year intends to facilitate faster, deeper scientific collaboration by creating a solid framework for science and technology cooperation.