India-UK discuss tech, terror & security as both NSAs meet, affirm growing ‘momentum’ in defence ties
India's National Security Adviser (NSA) and his UK counterpart, Jonathan Powell, held the annual India-UK Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi on 23 April 2026. B...
What Happened
- India's National Security Adviser (NSA) and his UK counterpart, Jonathan Powell, held the annual India-UK Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi on 23 April 2026.
- Both sides reviewed the India-UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI) and discussed advancing the Defence Industrial Roadmap — a ten-year framework for co-design, co-development, and joint military technology production.
- Counter-terrorism cooperation was prioritised, with discussions specifically addressing "pro-Khalistan elements" operating in the United Kingdom, and both sides agreed to deepen cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
- Emerging and critical technology domains discussed included telecommunications (Open RAN), semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, advanced materials, and cybersecurity.
- A semiconductor manufacturing facility in Odisha was highlighted as a bilateral milestone in the India-UK technology partnership.
- Both advisers exchanged views on regional and global conflicts, including the West Asia situation and the Russia-Ukraine war, with India emphasising diplomacy as the primary resolution pathway.
- The dialogue affirmed growing "momentum" in the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2021.
Static Topic Bridges
India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Roadmap 2030
The India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was formalised during the India-UK Virtual Summit on 4 May 2021 between the two heads of government. Alongside this partnership, the Roadmap 2030 was adopted as the overarching framework for bilateral cooperation over ten years across trade, defence, science, technology, health, and people-to-people ties.
- Partnership formalised: 4 May 2021 (India-UK Virtual Summit)
- Roadmap 2030: Ten-year cooperation framework covering six pillars — people connections, trade/investment, defence/security, climate/energy, health, and technology
- Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Negotiations ongoing; expected to be among the most significant bilateral FTAs for India
- The relationship was elevated from a "strategic partnership" (since 2004) to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" in 2021
Connection to this news: The April 2026 NSA meeting is an annual operational review mechanism within the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, translating the Roadmap 2030's defence and technology objectives into actionable bilateral programmes.
India-UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI)
The TSI was launched to intensify bilateral cooperation on critical and emerging technologies (CET) that have both commercial and national security dimensions. It is coordinated by the NSAs of both countries, with a bilateral implementation mechanism led by India's Ministry of External Affairs and the UK government. The TSI establishes structured partnerships on five technology pillars: telecommunications, semiconductors, AI, quantum technologies, and critical minerals.
- Coordinating authority: NSAs of India and the UK (bilateral strategic level)
- Implementation mechanism: India MEA + UK government
- Key technology pillars: Telecoms (Open RAN, C-DOT/SONIC Labs partnership), Semiconductors (chip design, advanced packaging), AI (bias detection, responsible AI governance), Quantum computing, Critical minerals
- Purpose: Resolve trade licensing and regulatory barriers in dual-use technology exports/imports
Connection to this news: The April 2026 NSA meeting directly reviewed progress under the TSI, with the Odisha semiconductor facility cited as a concrete output and discussions on quantum computing/AI indicating the next frontiers of TSI collaboration.
India-UK Defence Industrial Roadmap
The India-UK Defence Industrial Roadmap is a ten-year framework designed to transition the bilateral defence relationship from a buyer-seller model to a co-development and co-production partnership. It focuses on aerospace, naval propulsion, underwater systems (including submarines), and cybersecurity. The roadmap is consistent with India's Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020 and the Atmanirbhar Bharat defence initiative.
- Duration: Ten-year roadmap
- Focus domains: Aerospace (jet engines), naval propulsion, underwater/submarine systems, cybersecurity
- Approach: Co-design → co-development → co-production (away from outright purchase)
- Alignment: India's Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat; UK's Global Britain strategy
- India's defence exports context: Record Rs. 21,083 crore in FY25, target Rs. 35,000 crore by 2025
Connection to this news: Both NSAs affirmed positive progress under the Defence Industrial Roadmap, signalling that specific joint programmes in aerospace and naval domains are advancing from the planning to implementation phase.
India-UK Counter-Terrorism Cooperation and the Khalistan Issue
The Khalistan issue refers to the demand for a separate Sikh homeland carved out of India's Punjab state, a movement primarily active among diaspora communities in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The UK-based Khalistan-linked groups have been a sustained source of diplomatic friction between India and the UK, involving alleged extremism, targeted threats against Indian diplomats, and vandalism of Indian consulates. India has consistently pressed the UK to take stronger legal action under domestic counter-terrorism frameworks against such elements.
- Khalistan demand: Separatist movement seeking an independent Sikh state in Punjab, India
- Key UK-based concerns: Protests at Indian High Commission, alleged intimidation of diaspora, pro-Khalistan graffiti
- India's legal basis for concern: Listed as a security threat under India's UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act)
- NSG (National Security Guard) and NIA (National Investigation Agency) coordinate with international partners on transnational terrorism
Connection to this news: The explicit mention of "pro-Khalistan elements" in the UK in the context of counter-terrorism cooperation indicates a specific bilateral agenda, reflecting India's expectations from the UK to act against designated extremist groups under its own domestic counter-terror laws.
Key Facts & Data
- India-UK Strategic Dialogue held: 23 April 2026, New Delhi
- UK NSA: Jonathan Powell
- India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: formalised 4 May 2021
- Roadmap 2030: ten-year bilateral cooperation framework (May 2021)
- Technology Security Initiative (TSI): launched 2024; coordinated by both NSAs
- TSI pillars: Telecoms, Semiconductors, AI, Quantum, Critical Minerals
- Defence Industrial Roadmap: 10-year co-development framework
- Defence domains: Aerospace, naval propulsion, underwater systems, cybersecurity
- Semiconductor facility milestone: Odisha (India-UK collaboration)
- India defence exports FY25: Rs. 21,083 crore (record)
- India-UK FTA: under negotiation
- UK-India telecoms partnership: Open RAN (C-DOT India + SONIC Labs UK)