Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the role of science and tech as a key driver of economic growth during an insightful session with Science Museum Director and Chief Executive Sir Ian Blatchford during IGF London’s Future Frontiers Forum this week.
Minister Piyush Goyal said: “I think a Free Trade Agreement also adds value to science and technology and innovation. A trade agreement is not only about opening the doors wider for bilateral trade in goods or in services or even promoting investments. A Free Trade Agreement demonstrates to the world that the two countries are friends, are allies, plan to work together closely; they trust each other.”
Sir Ian stressed on the “really rich relationship” between India and the UK, which is thriving well beyond free trade agreements during the session entitled ‘UK-India Science, Technology and Innovation Collaboration’.
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He said: “There's the UK-India Science and Innovation Partnership roadmap, and amazing things that are being achieved underneath that umbrella, particularly the Technology Security Initiative, which focuses on collaboration in critical and emerging technologies across priority sectors for both our countries, telecoms, critical minerals, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum biotechnology and health tech and advanced materials.”
Earlier, IGF London hosted former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak for a discussion around tech and innovation and its potential to boost the bilateral partnership.
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The forum covered a wide range of subject areas, with UK Minister for Science Lord Patrick Vallance highlighting the many untapped synergies between the two countries and sessions exploring how India can support the National Health Service (NHS).
*Info: India Global Forum
