UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has been formally launched in India with a series of events highlighting the long-standing and successful history of collaboration between India and the UK.
The Together for Impact event in New Delhi today celebrated the impact of a decade-long partnership of research and innovation collaboration. It was attended by over 250 senior government officials, academics, policy makers, and businesses from both nations.
In the ten years since UK Research Councils first set up a presence in India, more than £300 million (₹2,800 crore) has been co-invested in collaborative projects covering the full spectrum of research and innovation, from arts to astronomy. In that period, the UK has risen from fourth to second place among India’s international research collaborators.
The day’s panel discussions focused on the benefits of working together, the ways to maximise impact and the future opportunities and challenges for both sides as responsible global leaders to push the frontiers of human understanding and to use new knowledge to address societal challenges locally and globally.
Sir Dominic Asquith, British High Commissioner to India said: ‘The UK-India research and innovation partnership sets an example for how our two countries can act as a joint force for good in the world. Through UKRI, the partnership has generated innovative scientific and technological solutions that will help transform both our societies and economies.’
Professor K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India said: ‘I am delighted to see the impact delivered by the India-UK joint research and innovation projects over the last ten years, and how expertise between our academic and business communities are addressing shared challenges that do not recognise national boundaries. I wish the India-UKRI relationship great successes.’
Professor Sir Mark Walport, UKRI Chief Executive said: ‘The biggest challenges of our time, from climate change and energy provision to food security and eradicating poverty, are international and require an international effort to resolve. We continue to build on a strong history of research collaboration between the UK and India, one that harnesses the excellence of both nations to drive global progress. Partnerships such as this are key to the delivery of UKRI’s ambitious mission to push the frontiers of human knowledge and understanding, and to deliver economic, social and cultural benefit.’
Daniel Shah, Director UK Research and Innovation India said: ‘As both India and the UK seek to thrive in a global knowledge economy, we know that our futures will be shaped by how we create new knowledge – and how we use this for global good, to ensure that no one is left behind. We cannot succeed in this mission alone – we are part of a worldwide research and innovation community and must learn from each other to keep progressing. The UK-India relationship is a fantastic example of the benefits such collaboration can bring.’
The celebration ended with an evening reception hosted by British High Commissioner to India Sir Dominic Asquith, who welcomed the creation of UKRI and the successful history of research collaboration between the UK and India to date.
The success of India-UK research and innovation collaboration was celebrated with the release of an animation film showcasing new solutions, partnerships and products being developed by joint research teams that help address development challenges.