India, UK Unveil First Ever Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue

The formal launch of India and the United Kingdom’s first‑ever Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue has marked a pivotal moment in the bilateral relationship. Recognizing the pressing need to collaborate on cutting‑edge technologies and export control, both nations initiated this high‑level engagement to ensure they remain strategic partners in an increasingly interconnected world. This initiative underscores their shared vision to deepen cooperation in defence, trade, science, and innovation, areas critical to driving future prosperity and global influence.

Held on 3 June 2025 at the Foreign Office in New Delhi, the dialogue was convened during the 17th round of India–UK Foreign Office Consultations. The Indian delegation was led by India’s Foreign Secretary, Shri Vikram Misri. The UK side was represented by Sir Oliver Robbins, Permanent Under‑Secretary at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the most senior official in His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service. The selection of New Delhi as the venue reflected both its strategic importance and the depth of engagement that has grown between the two democracies.

The event formally opened with remarks highlighting the significance of merging export control policies with technological collaboration. Shri Misri emphasized the critical relevance of aligning export control frameworks, stating that the dialogue "aimed at building mutual understanding of systems and agreeing areas for future cooperation on key sectors such as technology and defence". Sir Oliver Robbins, representing the UK, echoed this sentiment: “I’m delighted to be in India to help advance one of the UK’s most vital partnerships in the world. In a more complex world, there is strong ambition from both governments to take this partnership to even greater heights”.

Throughout the day, officials from both countries engaged in detailed discussions covering a wide array of topics: export licensing procedures, joint technological development, supply‑chain resilience in critical sectors, and mechanisms for regulatory cooperation. This inaugural session laid the foundation for what will become a recurring institutional framework—the bilateral Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue (SETCD).

Four core themes emerged from the dialogue:

1. Export‑control harmonization: Delegates agreed on the importance of enhancing transparency and mutual recognition of export‑control regimes to reduce regulatory bottlenecks and facilitate collaboration in advanced technologies.

   
   

2. Defence and security technology collaboration: The dialogue explored co‑development and co‑production opportunities in defence sectors, laying groundwork for shared innovation in aerospace, cybersecurity, and advanced materials.

   
   

3. Science and innovation partnerships: Both nations signalled their intent to deepen cooperation in domains such as AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and green technologies, recognizing the strategic importance of these fields.

   
   

4. Trade and investment facilitation: In light of the recently negotiated Free Trade Agreement, discussions emphasized how a robust SETCD would complement broader economic integration by smoothing regulatory alignment and technological cooperation.

   
   

Ministers and senior officials underscored the initiative’s long‑term importance. Sir Oliver Robbins observed that this strategic dialogue “welcomes significant breakthroughs achieved across the full breadth of the partnership… including the announcement of the historic trade deal”. On his part, Shri Misri expressed confidence that the dialogue would "deepen collaboration in high‑technology and strategic sectors," underscoring the partnership’s forward momentum.

The launch of SETCD follows the conclusion of the India‑UK Free Trade Agreement in early May 2025, an accord expected to expand bilateral trade by over £25 billion annually and significantly strengthen economic ties. Positioned as an implementation‑centric companion to the FTA, this dialogue aims to ensure regulatory coherence and practical delivery.

By bringing together export control authorities, defence experts, trade negotiators, and science ministries from both sides, the initiative is designed as a durable institutional architecture rather than a one‑time meeting. Observers note that its inaugural focus on high‑technology sectors sets the tone for future engagements spanning cybersecurity, space collaboration, critical minerals, and clean energy innovations. While specific timelines for follow‑up meetings have not yet been released, the framework is expected to convene periodically, alternating between India and the UK, in the spirit of sustained strategic cooperation.

This development represents a significant milestone in reinforcing the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It demonstrates both nations’ commitment to deepening ties not solely through economic agreements but with concrete collaboration in emerging and critical technologies. By forging regulatory alignment and cooperative frameworks, SETCD is poised to bolster supply‑chain resilience, foster innovation, and enhance defence and security cooperation in new areas—benefits that will flow across government, industry, academia, and society at large.

In a world marked by technological acceleration and evolving global power dynamics, the launch of this dedicated technology and export‑control dialogue is a clear indication that India and the United Kingdom intend to work closely and constructively. As Sir Oliver Robbins aptly noted, this is a partnership “to take… to even greater heights.” With foundations now set, the SETCD stands as a vital component of a modern, strategic alliance—one designed to meet present challenges and shape the shared competitive advantage of both nations in the decades ahead.