UK and India announce cooperation on digital sustainability

The UK’s Minister of State, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, is set to visit India for two important summits for investment and innovation, specifically focused on clean energy growth and joint innovation projects.

Lord Ahmad’s visit to Vibrant Gujarat, an innovation-focused summit, will further promote collaboration between the UK and India. The focus is on the success of UK-India projects in climate and energy, showcasing the sustainable success of overseas British businesses. Two long-term projects are to be announced. The first project, the Heat Mitigation Project, will provide recommendations to the government on addressing extreme heat-related deaths and the loss of crucial ecosystems. The second project, the Electronic and Battery Waste Management project will be launched in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Department of Environment and Climate Change and will focus on developing a strategy to reduce electronic and battery waste.

Why does it matter?

The visit highlights the importance the UK places on strengthening the UK-India relationship as part of its long-term foreign policy outlined in the Integrated Review Refresh. It also highlights the progress made in various sectors of collaboration, including health, clean energy, cyber-security, and defense and security partnerships. The UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Plan, supported by £4.5 billion in funding, including £3 billion for the automotive and aerospace industries, focuses on driving innovation and supporting the transition to a net-zero economy.