**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Communications (MoS) held a bilateral meeting with a UK Minister on February 18, 2024, on the sidelines of the AI Summit in New Delhi. The meeting aimed to strengthen India-UK cooperation in AI, future telecom, connectivity, innovation, and trust, building upon the India-UK 2030 Roadmap and the UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI). Both sides agreed to strengthen structured institutional engagement and build a secure digital infrastructure.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **AI and Telecom Cooperation:**
* India views AI as central to the future of telecommunications.
* Combining India's scale and the UK's research strengths can shape global standards in AI-native networks, Open RAN, and 6G.
* Progress was reviewed under the Department of Telecommunications–DCMS MoU.
* Both sides welcomed the operationalization of the India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre.
* **Quantum Communications and Security:**
* India's National Quantum Mission was highlighted, emphasizing potential collaboration in quantum communications and secure networks.
* **Telecom Frauds and Digital Scams:**
* India and the UK exchanged insights on preventing telecom frauds and digital scams through AI.
* India highlighted initiatives such as the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) and the Sanchar Saathi platform.
* The UK shared its experience with open data frameworks and deterrence-based regulatory measures.
* **Multilateral Engagements at the ITU:**
* India sought the UK's support for key multilateral engagements at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
* India requested support for Ms. M. Revathi's candidacy for Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), ITU.
* India sought support for its re-election to the ITU Council for the term 2027–2030.
* India proposed hosting the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-2030).
* **5G and Digital Infrastructure:**
* India highlighted its rapid 5G rollout, expansion of rural connectivity, digital public infrastructure, and citizen-centric telecom governance initiatives.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Government (Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications)**
* **Impact:** Strengthened collaboration with the UK in AI, telecom, quantum communications, and digital security.
* **Action Required:** Continue engagement with the UK to implement the agreed-upon initiatives, support ITU engagements, and promote AI-driven solutions for telecom and digital security.
**United Kingdom Government (DCMS)**
* **Impact:** Enhanced cooperation with India in AI, telecom, quantum communications, and digital security.
* **Action Required:** Maintain collaboration with India to implement the agreed-upon initiatives, support ITU engagements, and share expertise in areas such as open data frameworks.
**Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) in India and the UK**
* **Impact:** Potential adoption of AI-based anti-spam and fraud detection tools; adherence to new standards and regulations shaped through India-UK cooperation.
* **Action Required:** Monitor and adapt to evolving regulations and standards; implement AI-driven solutions to combat fraud and enhance security; participate in pilot deployments and research initiatives.
**Citizens of India and the UK**
* **Impact:** Improved digital infrastructure, enhanced security against telecom frauds and digital scams, and access to advanced technologies like 5G.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of digital safety measures and report fraudulent activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Communications: Indian government ministry responsible for communications and information technology.
India–UK 2030 Roadmap: Bilateral roadmap for cooperation between India and the United Kingdom across various sectors.
UK–India Technology Security Initiative (TSI): Bilateral initiative focusing on technology security between the UK and India.
Department of Telecommunications–DCMS MoU: Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Department of Telecommunications and the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, facilitating collaboration in telecommunications.
India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre: A joint initiative aimed at fostering connectivity and innovation between India and the United Kingdom.
Ministry of Communications
India–UK Strengthen AI and Telecom Partnership
MoS Communications Holds Bilateral Meeting with UK
Minister
Cooperation in AI and Future Telecom Tops the Agenda
Connectivity, Innovation and Trust: India–UK Expand Tech
Cooperation
Posted On: 18 FEB 2026 5:21PM by PIB Delhi
On the sidelines of the AI Summit in New Delhi, Shri Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Hon’ble Minister
of State for Communications, Government of India, held a bilateral meeting at Dak Bhawan with Mr.
Kanishka Narayan, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for AI and Online Safety, United Kingdom.
The meeting reaffirmed the growing depth of India–UK cooperation in telecommunications, digital
innovation, and emerging technologies under the India–UK 2030 Roadmap and the UK–India Technology
Security Initiative (TSI).During the discussions, the Hon’ble Minister of State emphasized that India views artificial intelligence as
central to the future of telecommunications. He noted 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,
ensuring that technology drives both growth and trust. Both sides reviewed progress under the Department
of Telecommunications–DCMS MoU and welcomed the operationalization of the India–UK Connectivity
and Innovation Centre.
He also highlighted India’s National Quantum Mission and pointed out the enormous potential for
collaboration in quantum communications and secure networks.
Both sides reviewed progress under the DoT–DCMS MoU and welcomed the operationalization of the
India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre, endorsed at India Mobile Congress 2025.Discussions focused on deepening cooperation in AI applications for telecom networks, including
autonomous network management, AI-driven cybersecurity, spectrum innovation, and non-terrestrial
networks. Both sides expressed interest in joint research, pilot deployments, and coordinated engagement
in global standardization forums such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and 3GPP.
India and the United Kingdom also exchanged insights on ongoing efforts to prevent telecom frauds and
digital scams through the use of artificial intelligence. India highlighted initiatives such as the Financial
Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), the Sanchar Saathi platform, and the deployment of AI-based anti-spam and
fraud detection tools by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs). The UK side shared its experience with open
data frameworks and strong deterrence-based regulatory measures as key elements of its approach.India also sought the support of the United Kingdom for key multilateral engagements at the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), including:
The candidature of Ms. M. Revathi for the position of Director, Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), ITU;
India’s re-election to the ITU Council for the term 2027–2030, reaffirming its continued contribution to
global telecom governance and standardization; and
India’s proposal to host the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-2030), reflecting India’s commitment to
shaping an inclusive, secure, and future-ready global digital ecosystem.
India also highlighted its rapid 5G rollout, expansion of rural connectivity, digital public infrastructure,
and citizen-centric telecom governance initiatives.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen structured institutional engagement and
build secure, trusted, and future-ready digital infrastructure in both countries.
****
MI/RG
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