India, UK Seek Deeper Ties in Space, Nuclear and Emerging Tech

What Happened

Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh met UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Jonathan Reynolds on Monday to explore deeper cooperation in space, civil nuclear energy, scientific research and emerging technologies. The Indian side, led by Singh, included Prof. Umesh Waghmare, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, and Dr Praveenkumar Somasundaram, Adviser and Head of International Bilateral Cooperation, DST. The UK team comprised Reynolds, British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron and Interim Permanent Secretary Amanda Brooks of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. Singh highlighted that recent reforms in India’s space sector have opened doors for private firms and startups, now about 800 strong, allowing research institutions to focus on advanced work. He urged stronger links between Indian and British startups to boost innovation and commercial chances. Discussions also covered joint work on space science, satellite development and tighter ties between research bodies and tech firms. On nuclear energy, Singh referenced India’s SHANTI Act of 2025 and the move to broaden participation beyond electricity generation, pointing to applications in nuclear medicine and healthcare. Both sides examined cooperation on small modular reactors, advanced nuclear technologies and related industrial capacities, citing rising energy and data‑centre needs. Emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cyber‑physical systems and cybersecurity were on the agenda, with Reynolds welcoming regular institutional interaction and commercial collaboration.

Context

India’s recent policy shifts aim to involve private players in its space and nuclear sectors, mirroring a global trend toward shared research and commercial partnerships in high‑tech fields.