NGI to play key role in UK-India security initiative

Since the signing of the UK-India Technology Agreement (July 2024), The National Graphene Institute (NGI) at the University of Manchester has been identified as a key stakeholder in the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, which recognises the increasing role of technology in national security and economic development.

The agreement, established during a visit to India by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, committed both governments to developing collaboration between NGI and the Indian Institute for Science Bengaluru Centre for Nano Science & Engineering on advanced (two-dimensional) 2D and atomically thin materials and nanotechnology.

The TSI will focus on boosting economic growth in both countries and tackling issues such as telecoms security and semiconductor supply chain resilience. For the University specifically, the collaboration will scope joint research ventures, facilitate student and start-up exchanges and open access to world-leading laboratories and prototyping facilities.

The University of Manchester is already collaborating with a number of established partners in India, which has resulted in joint PhD programmes with the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur and the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, which include a number of projects on 2D materials. The University is already immersed in the fields of Critical Minerals and Artificial Intelligence highlighted in the TSI and hosted a UK-India Critical Minerals workshop held in November 2023.

Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said: “The UK-India Technology Security Initiative will help shape the significant science and technology capabilities of both countries to deliver greater security, growth and wellbeing for our citizens. We are delighted to have The University of Manchester play a key part in this, particularly in our collaboration on advanced materials and critical minerals.”

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