NSA Ajit Doval Visits London for India–UK Strategic Dialogue on Security and Emerging Technologies

The convergence of national security dialogue between India and the United Kingdom held in London from June 30 to July 1, 2025, underlines a pivotal moment in their evolving strategic relationship, reinforcing shared commitments to global stability, counter-terrorism, and emerging technologies. At a time when the international landscape faces multifaceted threats, the visit of India’s National Security Advisor, Shri Ajit Doval, and his counterparts in London, reflects the deepening collaboration between two democratic powers united by common values and mutual interests.

Over the course of this two‑day Strategic Dialogue, NSA Doval engaged with a host of high-level counterparts from the UK. Central to the deliberations was Jonathan Powell, the UK’s National Security Adviser, whose presence signified mutual respect at the highest level of policy coordination. Also present were the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy MP, who  recently visited India in early June, and the Minister of State for Security, Dan Jarvis, each bringing their unique perspectives to the discussions.

The venue for the talks was the British Cabinet Office in central London, where the two delegations convened in a series of closed-door sessions. The agenda covered an impressive breadth of strategic areas, reflecting both the maturity and ambition of the India-UK partnership. Discussions spanned global security architecture, cyber and critical technological systems, counter-terrorism cooperation, defence and intelligence sharing, as well as resilience in critical infrastructure. The presence of the Foreign Office delegation alongside national security teams emphasized wider inter-agency cooperation, acknowledging that many contemporary threats bridge foreign policy, defence, intelligence, and technology domains. Delegates from both nations underscored the importance of strengthening inter-governmental frameworks to effectively monitor shared challenges and move decisively in concert.

A particularly notable element of the dialogue was the focus on emerging technology. India and the UK reaffirmed their commitment to the “Technology and Security Initiative”- a bilateral mechanism designed to deepen cooperation in critical and emerging technologies. Combining expertise in AI, quantum, and 5G telecom, this initiative marks a strategic pivot toward technology diplomacy, a domain likely to shape the geopolitical balance in the decades ahead. NSA Doval, reflecting on the progress achieved, stated, “Our collaboration in emerging technologies is more than mere innovation, it is the foundation upon which future security frameworks must stand.”

Security cooperation topped the docket, too. Both sides emphasized a shared determination to combat evolving terrorist threats, cyber intrusions, and disinformation campaigns, acknowledging their interconnected nature. In a joint statement, Whitehall confirmed that “a fortified counter-terrorism and cyber-security plan has been crafted, leveraging timely intelligence exchanges and joint exercises.” NSA Doval reinforced this by saying, “When democracies pool their intelligence and operational capabilities, our deterrence becomes proactive rather than reactive.” Jonathan Powell similarly observed that “enhancing resilience and sharing best practices is central to protecting our societies.”

Throughout the discussions, broader global issues such as climate security, supply chain integrity, and geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific region were examined. The UK delegation highlighted the significance of India’s role in the region’s stability, while India underscored the UK’s influence within NATO and its diplomatic reach across Europe, Africa, and the Commonwealth. Both delegations expressed optimism that their augmented cooperation would serve as a force for stability and prosperity well beyond their immediate hemispheres.

The dialogue also provided a platform for high-level bilateral interaction. NSA Doval held one-on-one meetings with Dan Jarvis and David Lammy, deepening alignment across security, diplomatic, and policy fronts.

In summary statements, both India and the UK emphasized that the Strategic Dialogue was a milestone in their journey toward a truly comprehensive partnership. The UK’s Foreign Secretary remarked, “India is a hugely important partner to the UK… the deeper ties we are forging now will help boost our industries of the future.” This was echoed by NSA Doval when he declared, “This dialogue is a springboard against a global backdrop of volatility, our two democracies must stand united.”

Beyond the high-level rhetoric, tangible steps were agreed upon. A follow-on working group was set up to fast-track joint collaboration in quantum cryptography and AI governance. Collaborative cybersecurity stress tests between Indian CERT-In and the UK’s NCSC are to begin by the end of the year. Intelligence liaison channels on counter-terrorism have been expanded, with both nations agreeing to share data more swiftly in response to cross-border threats. These operational advances go beyond symbolic diplomacy—they lay foundations for sustained, executable action.

Viewed in context, this Strategic Dialogue builds on a larger trajectory of India-UK cooperation. Following the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and the India-UK Trade Deal in May 2025, this visit signals a deliberate shift from broad declarations to actionable security architecture. At a time when both countries seek to shape norms in emerging technologies, uphold cyber resilience, and combat asymmetric threats, their bilateral coordination is increasingly indispensable.

The 2025 India–UK Strategic Dialogue in London, anchored by NSA Ajit Doval’s visit, not only reinforces bilateral ties but also positions India and the UK as proactive architects of global security frameworks. Their strengthened cooperation in critical technologies, cyber resilience, intelligence, and counter-terrorism signals a maturation of relationship: from state-to-state friendship to strategic partnership. As both sides implement concrete measures from joint AI roadmaps to co-hosted cybersecurity drills, their collaboration will serve as a model for how democracies can meet 21st-century challenges together.

This Strategic Dialogue, by aligning policy, intelligence, and technology, further cements the India–UK alliance as a formidable force for global good, ensuring that their shared vision transcends national borders and realizes its potential in practice.