Nasscom forms Technology Advisory Council to boost India-UK tech partnership
New Delhi, June 11
IT industry's apex body Nasscom has announced the constitution of the UK Technology Advisory Council that will serve as a strategic industry advisory body to the High Commission of India in UK, providing structured inputs on accelerating India-UK technology partnership, it was announced on Thursday.
The aim is to boost government-led tech security initiative on artificial intelligence, enhance cross border trade, investment and talent development and streamline ease of doing business to help achieve the FTA target of doubling the bilateral trade and achieve the goals of Vision 2035.
The TAC will focus on strengthening the India-UK Technology Corridor and further position the Indian technology companies as a trusted and reliable partner in advancing UK's digital ambitions.
The UK continues to be the second-largest market for India's technology industry, while India remains the second-largest source of FDI into the UK.
Periasamy Kumaran, High Commissioner of India to the UK, emphasised that "technological collaboration plays a critical role in shaping bilateral relationships".
"The Indian IT industry remains deeply committed to the UK market, creating high-value jobs, building local talent, fostering innovation and contributing meaningfully to the economic growth of the UK. In a world racing to lead in AI, building trust and collaborative innovation will be critical," he mentioned.
The launch coincided with the release of a report which found that leading large Indian technology firms support more than 35,000 jobs across the UK.
With nearly 62 per cent of their local workforce based outside London, these firms are also advancing the UK's levelling up (regional growth) agenda through investments in local talent, creating high-value employment opportunities and building digital capabilities across regions including Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, Birmingham, Reading, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
"The India-UK technology partnership has evolved beyond business relationships to become a strategic pillar of economic growth, innovation, and digital transformation for both nations. The UK Technology Advisory Council creates a structured platform for industry and government to work together on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future digital economy," said Rajesh Nambiar, President, Nasscom.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see Nasscom taking initiative, but I hope this isn't just another talking shop. We've had many committees and councils in the past that sounded good on paper but didn't translate into real results on the ground. The 35,000 jobs figure is impressive though—shows our companies are serious about the UK market.
As someone who works in the tech sector, I can say the India-UK corridor has real potential. British companies are keen on Indian talent, and our startups want UK markets. But the government needs to sort out visa issues and regulatory hurdles first. Otherwise, even the best council won't help! 🚀
Interesting move. I'm a British-Indian living in London, and I see both sides. Indian firms are doing great work here—especially outside London in places like Manchester and Sheffield. But the UK needs to ensure it's not just about outsourcing. Real collaboration on AI and R&D would be a game-changer for both countries.
Love how Indian tech is now about "trusted partner" rather than just cheap labour. We've come a long way from the call centre days! The 62% workforce outside London statistic is encouraging—shows we're helping the UK's regional development too. Hope Vision 2035 targets are met. 💪
As an American watching this, it's impressive how proactive India is in building tech bridges. The UK is a natural partner—shared language, legal systems, culture. This advisory council could accelerate the FTA negotiations. But I wonder how this will affect the US-India tech relationship? Competition or complementary?
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