New Delhi, July 24 (EFE).- India and the UK on Wednesday launched a new initiative to boost collaboration in emerging technologies such as semiconductors and telecommunications, during British Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to the Asian country.

“This means real joint action on the challenges of the future, from artificial intelligence to critical minerals. Together we can unlock shared growth, drive innovation, jobs and investment,” Lammy said in a statement.

The British Foreign Secretary met in New Delhi with his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and with the Asian country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Following the meeting, the two sides agreed to “intensify bilateral collaboration in priority areas of trade and investment,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Regarding the so-called “Technology Security Initiative” between India and the UK, the two countries detailed a series of steps to expand technological collaboration in sectors such as telecommunications, critical minerals, semiconductors or artificial intelligence, among others.

The agreement will be coordinated by the two countries’ National Security Advisers, and the UK side said it was a first of its kind.

“Both countries have a huge global presence in various aspects. So I think it is also important for India and the UK to work together on global issues and global platforms,” Jaishankar said before meeting Lammy.

The British minister, on his first visit to New Delhi since the Labour government came to power earlier this month, has set out the aim of reaching a free trade agreement.

But in this case, both sides limited themselves to “appreciating” the “important progress” in the negotiations towards a free trade agreement and hoping for an “early conclusion.” EFE

daa/jam