
India emerging as major science and tech force, says UK minister at London innovation forum
The UK must harness scientific and academic relationships with India as it becomes an increasingly powerful player in the science and technology space, Britain's minister for science, research and innovation has said.
During a session on 'Unlocking UK-India Collaboration for a New Era of Innovation' at India Global Forum's Future Frontiers Forum at the Science Museum in London on Thursday, Lord Patrick Vallance called for greater mobility of high-skilled professionals through the Global Talent Visa and the need to tap into complementary skills across all sectors.
The minister revealed the UK government's much-anticipated Industrial Strategy would be released in a few weeks, forming the blueprint for focus areas for such a partnership with India.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World
Articles Vally
Undo
"There is already a strong relationship between India and the UK, and I think it's growing," said Vallance.
"But government-to-government relationships on science aren't actually what drives everything. It has to be a scientist and a scientist as well. There are important academic links. I'd like to see more of that as India becomes an increasingly powerful player in the science and tech space," he said.
Live Events
The forum was addressed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal earlier on the sector-wide benefits of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) struck between the two countries, as it "adds value to science and technology and innovation".
"A Free Trade Agreement demonstrates to the world that the two countries are friends, allies, and plan to work together closely; they trust each other," said Goyal.
Vallance concurred and highlighted: "India has its focus areas, we have ours, now we need to create opportunities across those sectors."
Lord Ara Darzi, the British surgeon behind a seminal review of the National Health Service (NHS) and much-needed areas of reform, hailed India's "transformative health solutions" as the "intellectual and production power" the UK must collaborate with.
The forum also included a 'Pitchers and Punters' curated showcase of Indian start-ups pitching to a jury of international investors.
Among the standout companies were Zypp Electric, Lina Energy, Steamology Motion Ltd and Electric Miles - with Zypp Electric winning this year's Clean Tech Award presented by British renewable energy group Octopus Energy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Economic Times
26 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Magnets in limbo: No rare earth nod yet from China for Indian auto suppliers
No Indian auto component or vehicle manufacturer has received approval from the Chinese government to procure rare earth magnets so far, Times of India reported citing sources. Despite efforts by Indian officials to intervene, the sources said there is "no clarity as yet" on when a meeting with Chinese representatives might happen. The applications for sourcing magnets were submitted primarily by auto component makers who manufacture complete, high-tech assemblies. These include speedometers, electric motors, e-axles, electric water pumps, automatic transmission kits, speakers, sensors, and ignition coils used in engines. Among the companies that have applied are Uno Minda, Bosch, Mareli, TVS Group, Motherson Sumi, and Sona Comstar. Economic Times reported this week that the number of India-based firms awaiting approval from China's ministry of commerce to import rare earth magnets has nearly doubled—from 11 two weeks ago to 21 now. This list includes Bosch India, Marelli Powertrain India, Mahle Electric Drives India, TVS Motor, and Uno Minda. Sona Comstar, whose earlier application was rejected due to procedural issues, has reapplied and is now among the 21 companies awaiting clearance, a senior industry executive told ET.'There were no approvals so far, according to the latest assessment we carried through interactions with industry representatives,' one source told TOI. 'The situation is grave, and there is now massive uncertainty regarding manufacturing schedules and factory output.' The request for a meeting with Chinese representatives is being followed up not only by leading industry bodies such as the Auto Component Manufacturers Association (Acma) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), but also by government ministries including heavy industries, external affairs, and commerce. Senior officials from major automobile companies such as Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, and TVS are also involved in pursuing the matter with the government and diplomatic this week, the auto industry held a meeting with top officials at the Ministry of Heavy Industries as the government examined possible solutions to the crisis. 'However, not much headway was made so far,' an official source told the executives said that Ernst & Young has been brought on board by the ministry to assist with the issue. During the meeting, officials also reviewed the current preparedness of some Indian companies that are working in the field of magnet urged local magnet producers to provide a firm supply timeline, if at all possible, stating that uninterrupted production lines depend on timely procurement of components. According to the report, both Acma and Siam have drawn up a list of delegates they hope to send to China if the Indian government is able to facilitate such a restrictions were formally issued through a notification on April 4 this year. The new rules apply to medium and heavy rare earth metals, their alloys, magnets, and related products under the country's export permit prevent diversion of these materials to defence and weapons production, China now requires exporters to secure a licence. This licence depends on an End User Certificate (EUC), which must be approved first by India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Ministry of External Affairs, and then also endorsed by the Chinese Embassy in after these steps are completed can the EUC be sent to China for the final stages of approval—first by the provincial government where the exporting company is located, and then by China's Ministry of Commerce. Rare earth magnets are critical components used in permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs), which are widely applied in electric vehicles because of their compact size, high torque, and energy efficiency. Hybrid vehicles also rely on these magnets for efficient propulsion systems. While parts manufacturers based in Europe have recently received approval from Chinese authorities to source rare earth magnets, their Indian counterparts—despite being part of the same multinational corporations—are still waiting for the go-ahead from Beijing. According to experts, this delay is worsened by the strained political and commercial relationship between India and companies have been attempting to build local capabilities to reduce reliance on imported rare earth materials, but experts say this effort remains extremely challenging and is unlikely to provide immediate relief. (with ToI inputs)


Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Oppo A5 5G smartphone will military grade certification, 6,000 mAh battery launched in India, price starts at Rs 15,499
Oppo A5 5G is now official. Oppo has launched its latest A-series smartphone — Oppo A5 5G in India. The smartphone comes with military grade certification and is backed by a 6000 mAh battery . Oppo A5 5G sports an HD+ display and is powered by a MediaTek chipset. Oppo A5 5G: Price and availability Oppo A5 is presently available on Oppo India Online store. The smartphone comes in two variants — 6GB+128GB and 8GB+128GB priced at Rs 15,499 and Rs 16,999 respectively. The smartphone comes in Aurora Green and Mist White colour options. Oppo A5 5G specifications Oppo A5 5G is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset paired with up to 8GB of RAM. The smartphone packs 128GB internal storage. Users can further expand the storage by adding a microSD card of up to 1TB. The dual SIM Oppo smartphone features a 6.67-inch HD+ display with 720x1604 pixel resolution. The display offers up to 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1000 nits peak brightness level. The display is protected with a coating of Corning Gorilla Glass 7i on top. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Furious Audiologists Try To Ban This $100 Crystal Clear Hearing Breakthrough Top Trending News Today Learn More Undo Oppo A5 5G runs Android 15 operating system topped with company's own layer of ColorOS 15. The smartphone comes with military grade certification and IP65 rating which makes it resistant to dust and water. Oppo A5 5G is backed by a 6000 mAh battery with 45W fast charging support. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now


Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez wedding venue revealed, couple to tie knot at this historic Venice location
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez are set to get married next week in Venice, Italy. The two will get married in a private ceremony after being engaged for two years. According to a report by Daily Mail, the couple has booked the Scuola Grande della Misericordia in Venice for their upcoming wedding celebrations. The Scuola Grande della Misericordia is one of the most prominent buildings in Venice's historic center. As per the report, it has been reserved from June 26 to 28 as part of the celebrations. While details about the actual wedding ceremony remain unconfirmed, a source told the publication that access to nearby San Giorgio Maggiore island will also be restricted during this period, with Bezos's $500 million superyacht Koru anchored offshore. Jeff Bezos' wedding guest details The wedding is expected to have fewer than 200 guests, including celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and some members of the Trump family, according to the report. Nearly 60 Venice water taxis have been booked for guest transport, along with a private boat service between the island and the yacht. Guests will stay at luxury hotels across the city, including The Aman and Hotel Cipriani. Local bakery Rosa Salva Venetia, on the other hand, will supply pastries for the weekend, though not the wedding cake. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Jeff Bezos' wedding cost (estimated) The multi-day wedding celebration is said to cost somewhere between $15 million and $20 million, covering transportation, catering, and Sánchez's dress, which has not yet been revealed. In a 2023 interview with Vogue, Bezos said he had little to do with the planning. 'Oh, God, no. Do I look that dumb?' he said when asked about his involvement. Protest against Jeff Bezos' wedding The upcoming wedding has polarized the Venice city, with some residents protesting the event while others, including city officials, embrace it. Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro expressed strong support for the couple, stating, 'I want Bezos to be welcomed with open arms in Venice. Protesting against those who bring visibility and wealth to our territory is, in my opinion, a disgrace.' Brugnaro added, 'We will have to apologize to Jeff Bezos. I am ashamed of those who behave like this. I hope that Jeff Bezos comes anyway. Not all Venetians think like these protesters," he told protestors. World Music Day 2025: Tech That Changed How We Listen to Music