India can help Britain get ahead on AI

Brandon Lewis, a former minister and Conservative party chairman, argues that Britain can lead the way in AI governance by forging a partnership with India. The Prime Minister's recent declaration at the G20 summit in Manchester highlights the importance of AI in the global agenda. Lewis emphasizes that AI governance is an era-defining issue where Britain aspires to a leading role, but this cannot be achieved without constructive partnership and multilateral cooperation.

He acknowledges that while a completely sovereign AI capability is desirable, it is unattainable for many countries currently lagging behind the US and China. Therefore, the challenge lies in forming strategic alliances that leverage existing assets effectively.

Outside the EU, which has been overly restrictive, Britain can explore broader options. Two countries that fit this criterion are the UAE and India. The UK and India possess complementary strengths that can form a mutually beneficial partnership. The UK boasts elite research universities and hosts cutting-edge frontier research, similar to DeepMind.

On the other hand, India has a vast talent pool of engineers, founders, and technical experts who are not well-represented in their own country. This creates an opportunity for a two-way corridor of mutual benefit, linking British research, capital, and entrepreneurship with India's expertise and technological prowess.

Moreover, India's appetite for technological change sets it apart from the UK, with 46% of Indians believing the current level of AI regulation is sufficient, compared to only 8% of Brits. This difference can work to the advantage of both nations, combining responsible development with big, ambitious thinking. Lewis emphasizes that this partnership can lead to a seamless bridge between research and market, something currently lacking in other regions.

The recent UK-India Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect in July, has already reduced tariffs on over 90% of goods traded between the two countries. This agreement also covers e-contracts and intellectual property protection, further streamlining British-Indian commerce.

The India-UK Vision 2035 framework, published in 2025, also commits both nations to deeper collaboration. This has resulted in £24 million in funding for an India-UK joint center for AI, focusing on responsible and trustworthy AI in areas such as health, climate, fintech, and cybersecurity. Lewis argues that Britain should capitalize on this existing shared Commonwealth heritage and diaspora populations to build on the progress made in recent years.

He concludes by stating that if Britain is serious about playing a leading role in the AI age, it cannot view technological sovereignty as technological isolation.