India–UK Strengthen AI And Telecom Partnership

The two sides reviewed progress under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) memorandum of understanding and welcomed the operationalisation of the India–United Kingdom Connectivity and Innovation Centre. The minister noted that artificial intelligence is central to the future of telecom networks and that combining India's scale with the United Kingdom's research strengths can help shape global standards in AI-native networks, Open RAN and 6G. Discussions covered AI-enabled network management, AI-driven cybersecurity, spectrum innovation and non-terrestrial networks.

Both governments expressed interest in joint research and pilot deployments and in coordinated engagement in global standardisation forums such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the 3GPP. India outlined its National Quantum Mission as an area with significant potential for collaboration on quantum communications and secure networks. The partners also discussed cooperation on preventing telecom frauds and digital scams through AI applications and shared best practices on open data frameworks and deterrence-based regulation.

India highlighted its rapid 5G rollout and the expansion of rural connectivity alongside efforts to strengthen digital public infrastructure and citizen-centric telecom governance. The two sides sought support from the United Kingdom for India's multilateral engagements at the International Telecommunication Union, including a candidature and re-election to governance bodies and a proposal to host the plenipotentiary conference in 2030. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen structured institutional engagement and to build secure and trusted digital infrastructure.