India following 'zero-tolerance' policy on terror; expects partners to understand it: Jaishankar

India has emphasised the need for stronger collaboration in technology with the UK. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during a meeting with his UK counterpart David Lammy on Saturday, highlighted the Technology Security Initiative (TSI) between the two countries.

This initiative aims to foster future cooperation in strategic technology sectors including AI, semiconductors, telecom, quantum computing, health, biotechnology, critical minerals, and advanced materials.

Jaishankar thanked the UK for its strong condemnation of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.

“We practice a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and expect our partners to understand it, and we will never countenance perpetrators of evil being put at par with its victims,” he said.

Lammy’s visit follows the historic India-UK Free Trade Agreement signed on May 6, which targets increasing bilateral trade by over £25 billion annually.

During his day-long visit, Lammy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was scheduled to meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal later. Notably, Lammy was the first major country minister to visit Pakistan after the ceasefire with India on May 10.

This week also saw the first meeting of the India-UK Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue, expected to boost the effectiveness of the TSI in promoting trade in critical and emerging technologies, including the resolution of relevant licensing or regulatory issues.

Jaishankar told Lammy that UK-India ‘infrastructure financial bridge’ can unlock quality long term capital flows from the UK, and that would surely contribute to India’s infrastructure development.

The two countries have enjoyed strong collaboration in the education sector, with many more universities. “I believe, some are planning to establish their campuses in India,” Jaishankar noted.

Earlier on Friday, the UK Foreign Office issued a statement describing Lammy’s visit stating that the UK was looking to deepen and diversify the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

The UK is seeking to bolster economic and migration ties and delivering further growth opportunities for British businesses.

“The new deal with India is expected to increase bilateral trade by over £25 billion every year,” the UK foreign office said.