- Sunday, March 16, 2025
New climate and tech partnerships announced to benefit all by tackling global challenges, as development minister Andrew Mitchell was set to attend the G20 development ministerial meeting in India’s Varanasi.
By: Shubham Ghosh
UK’S INTERNATIONAL development minister Andrew Mitchell is in India for a G20 meeting which started on Sunday (11) and to boost his country’s cooperation with the Asian nation on development, including through climate and tech partnerships.
Mitchell was set to reinforce at the gathering in Varanasi, the holy city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, on how London’s partnerships and investments are having a multiplier impact on tackling the biggest shared challenges of today — climate change, poverty and food security, a press release from FCDO said.
Mitchell also met Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Monday.
Nice to see @AndrewmitchMP, MoS for Development and Africa of the UK.
India’s G20 priorities are in line with our Roadmap 2030. This would help the world’s sustainable growth and development. pic.twitter.com/P5zdEuyC3k
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 12, 2023
The three-day G20 development ministerial meeting in Varanasi is laying the groundwork to accelerate progress towards the sustainable development goals ahead of the G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi in September. India is holding the grouping’s presidency this year.
??supported @ChakrInnovation is developing batteries for e-vehicles which don’t need charging points and are recyclable. Together we are generating returns for ?? & ?? taxpayers. Great work @Kushagra_Sriv & team pic.twitter.com/6mZLI1QvtB
— Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP (@AndrewmitchMP) June 11, 2023
At the G20, the UK emphasised the need to redouble global efforts to tackle the climate crisis and shocks facing the most vulnerable countries demonstrating our position as a development leader set out earlier this year.
New UK programmes announced in India include an investment of £10 million in Avaana Fund, a women led climate-tech fund which supports innovative businesses to develop solutions to climate change and create jobs for women in sectors such as clean energy, energy storage and agriculture.
An investment of £12 million from the UK government-supported Neev II fund will go to Nutrifresh, an Agri-Tech start-up enterprise focused on making agriculture more sustainable by growing vegetables in an environmentally friendly way.
On Sunday, Mitchell visited the Chakr Innovation research lab in Delhi, which is developing cutting-edge tech to tackle climate challenges.
The UK-supported lab is now developing innovative batteries for e-vehicles which do not need charging infrastructure and are fully recyclable, providing a cleaner and safer alternative to older Lithium tech. The lab has previously developed devices that capture pollution-causing emissions and convert it to pigment for black inks and paints.
Targeted investments like these play a central role in tackling climate change and supporting sustainable development. They improve access to clean energy, create jobs and boost economic growth, all of which are vital to deal withpoverty.
Mitchell said, “We commend India for putting development and the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable at the heart of its G20 Presidency. The UK is committed to working with G20 partners to tackle the climate crisis and reduce poverty.
“The UK’s new investments in India will deepen our collaboration, underlining the UK’s focus on mutually beneficial partnerships. Make no mistake: these investments benefit the British taxpayer while delivering world-changing solutions. I am proud that the UK is supporting such visionary and innovative endeavours that are needed to achieve development progress across the globe.”
Acting British high commissioner to India Christina Scott said, “The announcements highlight the UK’s commitment to delivering the 2030 Roadmap – a partnership that delivers for both our countries.
“As set out in the UK’s International Development Strategy, we are focused on delivering clean and green infrastructure and creating opportunities for women and girls.”
