New Delhi — UK’s Minister of State, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, is set to embark on a significant three-day visit to India, focusing on the states of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. The visit aims to strengthen the UK-India trade partnership, showcasing innovative projects and exploring collaboration opportunities.

In Chennai, Lord Ahmad will participate in the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet (TNGIM), where he plans to unveil two UK-funded sustainability projects. The first project, a Heat Mitigation initiative in collaboration with Tamil Nadu’s State Planning Commission, aims to address extreme heat-related deaths and preserve vital ecosystems. The second project, in partnership with the Tamil Nadu Department of Environment and Climate Change, focuses on Electronic and Battery Waste Management to reduce environmental impact.

Expressing enthusiasm for the trip, Lord Ahmad highlighted Tamil Nadu and Gujarat’s pivotal roles in emerging technologies. He emphasized the potential for joint innovation projects, spanning renewable manufacturing to financial services.

Lord Ahmad’s schedule includes delivering a keynote speech at TNGIM on successful UK-India climate and energy projects. He will also attend a GREAT reception to showcase sustainable British businesses supporting clean growth in India.

Transitioning to Vibrant Gujarat, an innovation-focused summit, Lord Ahmad will celebrate the close ties between the UK and India. A significant moment at the summit will be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UK’s Abertay University and India’s École Intuit Lab, fostering teaching, research, and innovation collaboration.

The visit aligns with the UK’s long-term foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the importance of the UK-India relationship. Notably, the ongoing collaboration between the UK and Tamil Nadu on climate and energy, focusing on offshore wind, green hydrogen, and forests, will see the launch of two new projects aimed at addressing climate challenges and promoting circular economy practices for electronic and battery waste.

As the UK continues its commitment to the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations, this visit marks another stride in the enduring partnership between the two nations, fostering advancements in health, clean energy, cybersecurity, and defense.