UK to launch India-Britain exchange scheme, announce Indo-Pacific tech envoy

During a visit to IIT Delhi on Wednesday, Cleverly will mark the opening of the Young Professionals Scheme, a partnership between the UK and India which allows up 3,000 Britons and 3,000 Indians each year the right to live and work in the other country for up to two years.

He will also announce the creation of the UK’s first Tech Envoy to the Indo-Pacific region, who will boost ties with India as a priority.

“This envoy is the second of its kind to be announced by the UK (after the appointment of a Tech Envoy to the US in late 2020) and demonstrates our commitment to the region and tech-diplomacy,” a British High Commission statement said. The UK deployed its first Tech Envoy, Joe White, to San Francisco in 2020.

The statement said that the new Tech Envoy’s role will boost the UK’s status as a science and tech superpower.

In a statement, Cleverly said, “India is a hugely important partner to the UK and the deeper ties we are forging now will help to grow the UK economy and boost our industries for the future. This landmark migration scheme will enable the brightest and best in both countries to benefit from new opportunities.

“India is also an emerging global leader on technology and there are immense opportunities for better collaboration between us in this sector. That is why we will be sending our first Tech Envoy to the Indo-Pacific region, to maximise the tech expertise of both countries.”

The British High Commission said India has the world’s third highest number of tech unicorns and start-ups, with 108 start-ups gaining the unicorn status of a private company valued at more than $1 billion. “This announcement illustrates the UK’s clear commitment to boosting partnerships in India and across South Asia,” it said.

Are you an 🇮🇳 national between 18 – 30 years of age and want to live, work or study in the UK for up to 2 years?

The first ballot for the new Young Professionals Scheme is now open! To check your eligibility and to enter the ballot, visit: ⤵️https://t.co/1XQoE66dAV pic.twitter.com/ht4GdPXCMZ

— UK in India🇬🇧🇮🇳 (@UKinIndia) February 28, 2023

On Thursday, Cleverly will attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting to work with partners to advance global efforts on food and energy security, climate change and development. “He will also continue to call Russia out at the G20 and work with partners to mitigate the global impacts of Russian aggression in Ukraine. If the war were to end today, the effects of the exacerbated food insecurity would still run into 2027,” the statement said.

Cleverly will also address an India-Europe business event in the capital where he will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to conclude a Free Trade Agreement with India. With more links than almost any country in the Indo-Pacific, the UK-India trading relationship is already worth £34 billion, growing by £10 billion in one year.