Science is universal but technology has to be local: PM Narendra Modi at India-UK Tech Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Theresa May, who arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, participated in the India-UK Tech Summit here on Monday.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, "The Tech Summit was envisaged during my visit to the UK last year to reinforce the friendship between India and the UK."

The Indian Prime Minister added that he is privileged that Theresa May has joined the summit.

He said, "An honour for us that you chose to visit India as your first bilateral visit outside Europe. It is vital that India and the UK, two countries linked by history, work together to define the knowledge economy of the 21st century. India is now the fastest growing large economy with the most open investment climate."

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"The present India-UK cooperation in S&T is driven by 'high quality' and 'high impact' research partnerships. We have agreed to establish a Clean Energy R&D Centre on solar energy and a new Anti-Microbial Resistance initiative. India's partnership with UK in industrial research has been one of our most exciting programs," PM Modi added.

Highlighting the importance of the Summit, he said, "Science is universal but technology has to be local. Such summits throw an opportunity to understand each other's requirements. We have agreed to establish a Clean Energy R&D Centre on solar energy and a new Anti-Microbial Resistance initiative. India's partnership with the UK in industrial research has been one of our most exciting programmes."

Concluding his address at the event, he said, "The Tech Summit will take us together into a journey based on shared scientific knowledge and technological prowess."

Theresa May also addressed the gathering and said, "My first visit outside the European Union is to India. There is so much potential when it comes to India-Britain relationship, we have a special bond. We can break barriers to trade and investment. India now has one of the best UK visa services in the world."

"In Britain we are working on economic and social reforms. Indian investment is helping us diversifying our economy," she added.