UKRI invested £16m of new investment, which was matched by the government of India, with the two countries reinforcing their ‘commitment to collaborate on global issues’.

The UK’s minister of state in the department for science, innovation and technology (DSIT), George Freeman, and Indian minister of state (independent charge) for science and technology and earth sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, announced the funding during the UK-India Science and Innovation Council in London earlier this week ( 26^th April).

The countries have launched four new joint research programmes, one of which is a partnership between UKRI’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), focusing on technology and skills.

Professor Ottoline Leyser, chief executive, URKI, said: “International collaboration in research and innovation benefits all involved, bringing together expertise and resources to go farther faster.

“The collaborations announced today span a wide spectrum of research and innovation, including environmental sustainability, food security and AI, with benefits that will be realised in the UK, India and across the world.”

Sukanya Kumar, director designate of UKRI India, said: “In addition to driving research and innovation excellence, our partnership with India brings positive impact to the lives of people in both our countries and across the globe. The new co-investment will pave the way for more joint research and innovation, which will drive sustainable growth and prosperity in the years ahead.”