The UK is set to appoint a tech envoy to the Indo-Pacific region, its second appointment to a role of this nature after it appointed an envoy to the US in 2020.
James Cleverly, the UK’s foreign secretary, is set to make the announcement on 1 March. This will be the UK’s first tech envoy to the Indo-Pacific region, with the role geared towards strengthening the nation’s ties to India.
The envoy will work with partners in the region, in areas like setting global technology standards and using innovative tech to solve challenges.
The government is hoping this new role will help better present the UK as a science and tech superpower. It also wants to underline its commitment to forging partnerships in India and South Asia.
The announcement from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) highlighted the fact that India has the world’s third-highest number of tech unicorns and startups, making it a promising region for tapping future partnerships and skills.
“India is also an emerging global leader on technology and there are immense opportunities for better collaboration between us in this sector,” said Cleverly. “That is why we will be sending our first tech envoy to the Indo-Pacific region, to maximise the tech expertise of both countries.”
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Cleverly is set to meet India’s external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss the UK-India 2030 Roadmap, which is looking to improve defence, security, trade, and investment between the two countries.
The foreign secretary will also open the Young Professionals Scheme, a partnership between the two nations which allows 3,000 UK citizens and 3,000 Indian citizens to live and work in the other country for two years.
The UK is also set to reaffirm its commitment to forge a free trade agreement with India. The UK-India trade relationship is worth around £34 billion, the FCDO said.
Joe White was named the UK's first tech envoy, devoted to the US in 2020, a role that was merged with the appointment of Her Majesty's Consul-General to San Francisco.
White was set to lead the consulate as well as support the UK’s ambassador to the US when it came to areas like technology and entrepreneurship.
