In a landmark step towards shaping the future of global connectivity, India and the United Kingdom have announced a strategic partnership to promote digital inclusion and advance secure, next-generation communication technologies.

The newly launched India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre will unite the two nations’ strengths in advanced connectivity, digital research, and innovation — linking cutting-edge academic research, lab testing, field trials, and commercial deployment. The initiative aims to create new industrial and market opportunities, enabling partners to develop, test, and scale technologies with a direct pathway to adoption.

Over the next four years, the Centre will focus on a critical phase in the evolution of 6G technologies, driving progress in three key areas:

AI-driven telecom transformation: Leveraging artificial intelligence to optimise networks, enhance efficiency, and enable new digital services.

Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs): Developing satellite and airborne communication systems to deliver high-speed connectivity to rural and remote areas.

Telecoms cybersecurity: Building open, interoperable, and resilient network systems to strengthen security and reliability for consumers and enterprises alike.

Connectivity technologies are the backbone of modern economies, and this collaboration seeks to combine India’s digital dynamism with the UK’s innovation leadership to deliver mutual economic and security benefits.

The two governments have committed a combined investment of Rs 2.4 billion (£24 million) over four years to support applied research through UK and Indian research institutions, industry–academia partnerships, joint testbeds, and collaborative efforts in global technical standards.

This initiative is being implemented under the UK–India Technology Security Initiative, jointly led by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT). It also serves as a flagship example of the UK–India Research and Innovation Corridor, aligning with the shared ambitions outlined in the Prime Minister–Prime Minister Vision 2035.

The new Centre is expected to accelerate 6G development, strengthen digital resilience, and expand equitable access to advanced connectivity, reinforcing both nations’ leadership in global telecommunications innovation.