UK-India science and innovation is at the heart of ‘Unbeatable Combination’

UK and India’s research investments have grown enormously. In 2008, £1 million had been invested – today that figure stands at over £200 million.

The continued excellence of the UK research base and innovation ecosystem makes us perfect partners. Our aim to build strong and systemic relationships is no better demonstrated by the Newton Fund. In India, the Newton-Bhabha Fund is putting us on the front foot of international research across global challenges such as food-energy-water security, public health and sustainable urbanisation. In addition we are supporting the commercialisation of research through a £5 million industrial R&D programme helping UK and Indian academics and industry set up projects in the areas of clean tech and affordable healthcare.

We are also creating a new £1 million Newton Prize, starting in 2017, to award the best science or innovation projects. I am confident there will be outstanding examples of delivery where UK and India are working together to promote economic development and tackling societal challenges.

So why such focus on India?

We’ve identified India for her potential in becoming a global science and innovation leader. There are challenges in terms of supporting business and academia to work together and come up with new technologies, services and processes. Bridging this gap will be vital to catalyse India’s huge transformational ambitions through Make in India, Start-up India, Smart Cities, etc.

A decade or so ago the UK reviewed its own industrial and innovation strategy. We created Technology Innovation Centres (today called ‘Catapults‘) based on the idea that knowledge shared across academia, industry and government can create more innovation that lead to jobs and growth. We are bringing UK Catapults, which range from High Value Manufacturing, Future Cities and Precision Medicine, to Tech Summit. Today UK innovation is ranked second in the latest Global Innovation Index. The UK is and remains a great choice to invest in R&D. And working with India our partnership will unlock and solve economic and social challenges.

We now approach a future rapidly blurring the lines between the real and virtual. The India-UK Tech Summit can showcase our complementary strengths and development needs. Working together, as Indian PM Narendra Modi says, to create this ‘unbeatable combination’ will unlock more opportunities.