The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up a new, emerging and strategic technologies (NEST) division. NEST will act as the nodal division within the ministry for issues pertaining to technologies. Further, it will help in collaboration with foreign partners in the field of 5G and artificial intelligence.
The development comes soon after the government allowed all network equipment makers including Huawei to participate in 5G trials.
The NEST’s mandate will include focus on evolving India’s external technology policy in line with domestic stakeholders, India’s developmental priorities and national security goals. Further, the division will also help in assessment of foreign policy and international legal implications of new and emerging technologies and technology-based resources thereby recommending required foreign policy choice.
Furthermore, NEST will negotiate technology governance rules, standards and architecture, suited to India’s conditions, in multilateral and plurilateral frameworks.
