New Delhi, Feb 18 (NationPress) India’s Minister of State for Communications, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, convened a meeting with the UK's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for AI and Online Safety, Kanishka Narayan, on Wednesday, underscoring the expanding partnership between India and the UK in telecommunications, digital innovation, and emerging technologies.

During their discussions at the AI Summit, the minister stressed that India considers artificial intelligence to be pivotal for the future of telecommunications. He remarked that leveraging India’s vast scale alongside the UK’s research capabilities can significantly influence global standards in AI-native networks, Open RAN, and 6G, ensuring technology fosters both growth and trust.

Chandra Sekhar also drew attention to India’s National Quantum Mission and highlighted the immense possibilities for collaboration in quantum communications and secure networks.

Both parties reviewed the progress under the DoT–DCMS MoU and celebrated the activation of the India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre, which was endorsed at the India Mobile Congress 2025.

The discussions centered on enhancing collaboration in AI applications for telecom networks, encompassing autonomous network management, AI-driven cybersecurity, spectrum innovation, and non-terrestrial networks. Both nations expressed interest in joint research initiatives, pilot deployments, and coordinated participation in global standardization forums such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and 3GPP.

India and the UK exchanged insights on ongoing strategies to combat telecom fraud and digital scams through the application of artificial intelligence. India showcased initiatives like the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), the Sanchar Saathi platform, and the use of AI-based anti-spam and fraud detection tools by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs). In return, the UK shared its experiences with open data frameworks and robust deterrent regulatory measures as key components of its strategy.

Moreover, India requested support from the UK for significant multilateral engagements at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), including the candidacy of M. Revathi for the role of Director, Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), ITU, and India’s re-election to the ITU Council for the 2027–2030 term, reaffirming its ongoing contribution to global telecom governance and standardization. India’s proposal to host the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-2030) was also discussed, reflecting India’s dedication to shaping a secure, inclusive, and future-ready global digital ecosystem.

Additionally, India spotlighted its swift 5G rollout, expansion of rural connectivity, digital public infrastructure, and citizen-focused telecom governance initiatives.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to fortify structured institutional collaboration and develop secure, trusted, and future-ready digital infrastructures in both nations.