At the Future Frontiers Forum hosted by IGF London, Lord Patrick Vallance, UK Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, called for intensified UK-India collaboration in science and technology, urging both nations to align their innovation priorities and unlock sector-wide opportunities.
Lord Vallance said: “The industrial strategy coming out in just a couple of weeks which will list the eight sectors we are working on. That’s got to be a good foundation for where there can be partnerships.
“India has its focus areas, we have ours, now we need to create opportunities across those sectors.”
Speaking at the Science Museum, Vallance emphasised the importance of people-to-people scientific ties: “I believe government-to-government relationships in science do not drive everything; we must also create scientist-to-scientist relationships. Academic links and the exchange of people often drive collaborations. Start-ups in particular are becoming central to the innovation ecosystem, and we need more of them in the UK–India mix.”
The forum, part of IGF London 2025, brought together government leaders, global CEOs, investors, and academics to explore frontier technologies across AI, climate tech, sustainable energy, health innovation, and quantum computing.
Opening the event, Sir Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum, celebrated the UK-India Science and Innovation Partnership Roadmap and its focus on critical and emerging technologies.
“The Technology Security Initiative is a landmark step,” he said. “Imperial College’s science hub in Bengaluru will drive collaboration in AI, healthtech, cleantech, and advanced materials, backed by $170 million in joint UK-India funding.”
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Earlier, India’s Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the FTA’s role in strengthening innovation ecosystems: “It’s not just about trade or investment. The FTA demonstrates that India and the UK are friends and allies. Innovation in India happens at a fraction of global costs. What takes 10x the cost in the US or Europe can be done efficiently in India, with mutual benefit.”
Sir Oliver Dowden, former UK deputy prime minister, reinforced the values-based alignment between the two democracies: “We must deepen ties with like-minded nations. UK and India share heritage, rule of law, and a commitment to science. Whether it’s 6G or quantum, setting international standards together creates a win-win.”
Health innovation was another key focus, with leaders like surgeon Lord Ara Darzi, Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare), and Monica Huang (Zydus Lifesciences) exploring how India’s affordable, tech-driven models could support the UK’s struggling National Health Service (NHS).
Lord Darzi said: “The NHS isn’t in critical condition, but it needs urgent reform. India’s transformative health solutions and COVID-era support show the intellectual and production power we must now collaborate with.”
A major highlight was the return of Pitchers and Punters, a curated showcase of Indian start-ups pitching to a jury of international investors. Among the standout companies were Zypp Electric, Lina Energy, Steamology Motion Ltd and Electric Miles — with Zypp Electric winning the Clean Tech Award, presented by Octopus Energy.
*Info: India Global Forum
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