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India, Australia, and Canada Launch Tri-Nation Tech Partnership at G20 Summit
India, Australia, and Canada have launched a new technology and innovation partnership at the 2025 G20 Summit, aiming to strengthen collaboration in digital infrastructure and retail innovation.
New Delhi, India — On November 21, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Canadian Governor General Mark Carney jointly announced the formation of the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership (ACTIP) during the G20 Summit in New Delhi. The new trilateral initiative aims to enhance cooperation across digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and retail technology sectors. The partnership intends to foster joint research, regulatory alignment, and talent exchange programs designed to accelerate innovation and economic growth across the three nations. This collaboration arrives at a critical juncture as global economies grapple with rapid technological disruptions and supply chain recalibrations. For India, Australia, and Canada, ACTIP represents a strategic effort to diversify innovation ecosystems and strengthen digital resilience amidst geopolitical uncertainties and increasing competition from China and the US.
Why ACTIP Matters Now
The launch of ACTIP underscores a broader trend of middle powers forging technology alliances to hedge against the dominance of established tech hubs in the US and China. With combined GDPs exceeding $5 trillion, the three countries wield significant economic influence, yet each faces unique challenges in scaling innovation sustainably. India’s booming digital economy, projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2025, hinges on expanding internet access and digital payments infrastructure, particularly in retail and e-commerce sectors. Australia, with its advanced research universities and robust startup ecosystem, complements this with expertise in AI and clean technology. Canada brings strengths in AI ethics, quantum computing, and a skilled workforce, amplified by its immigration-friendly policies. By pooling resources, ACTIP aims to harness complementary strengths while addressing shared vulnerabilities such as talent shortages, fragmented regulations, and cybersecurity risks. The partnership also signals a shift toward more inclusive and multipolar innovation networks, critical for sustaining global economic stability and technological leadership.
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Read More →Historical Context and Precedents
This trilateral pact builds on years of bilateral engagements. India and Australia deepened their tech ties with a 2022 Digital Economy Agreement focusing on data flows and privacy standards. Canada and Australia have long collaborated on AI research through the International AI Research Network since 2020. Meanwhile, India and Canada established a strategic tech dialogue in 2023, emphasizing clean energy and smart cities. However, ACTIP marks the first formal three-way technology partnership anchored at a major global summit, reflecting an evolution in multilateral collaboration frameworks. It aligns with G20’s broader agenda to promote digital public goods and equitable access to technology, themes highlighted in the summit’s communique. Each partner brings distinct institutional mechanisms: India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT, Australia’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and Canada’s Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will coordinate joint projects and policy exchanges.
The partnership also signals a shift toward more inclusive and multipolar innovation networks, critical for sustaining global economic stability and technological leadership.
Cross-Sectoral Opportunities and Challenges
Retail technology stands out as a key focus area. India’s retail sector, valued at $1.4 trillion and growing at 10% annually, is undergoing a digital transformation driven by mobile commerce and AI-powered supply chains. Australia and Canada offer advanced solutions in digital payments, customer analytics, and sustainable retail operations that could be scaled in India’s vast market. Yet, the partnership faces hurdles. Differing data privacy laws, such as India’s pending Personal Data Protection Bill, Australia’s Consumer Data Right, and Canada’s PIPEDA framework, require harmonization to facilitate cross-border data flows. Additionally, aligning intellectual property rights and cybersecurity standards will be critical to trust and investment flows. Experts caution that the success of ACTIP hinges on sustained political will and clear implementation roadmaps. According to Dr. Suresh Kumar, a technology policy analyst at the Observer Research Foundation, "The partnership’s ambition is commendable, but it must translate into concrete projects with measurable outcomes to move beyond rhetoric."[1]
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Read More →Perspectives from Industry and Academia
Industry leaders have broadly welcomed the partnership. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) emphasized that ACTIP could open new avenues for startups and SMEs to access global markets and innovation networks. Australian tech entrepreneur Melanie Smith noted, "Collaborations like ACTIP can accelerate commercialization of AI and clean tech, benefiting both mature and emerging markets."[2]
Canadian academics highlight the importance of embedding ethical AI frameworks into joint initiatives. A 2024 report from the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research recommended international partnerships prioritize transparency, accountability, and bias mitigation in AI deployments.[3] These considerations will be critical in retail tech applications that directly impact millions of consumers.
Looking Ahead: Implications for Global Innovation Ecosystems
ACTIP’s launch signals a growing recognition that technology leadership will increasingly depend on diversified, collaborative ecosystems rather than isolated national efforts. For professionals and policymakers, this means greater emphasis on cross-border skill development, regulatory agility, and shared standards. Education systems in the three countries may soon integrate joint curricula and exchange programs to prepare future tech talent for a transnational innovation landscape. Businesses should anticipate new opportunities to pilot technologies in diverse markets with aligned regulatory frameworks. As the partnership evolves, its ability to balance national interests with collective progress will shape its impact. If successful, ACTIP could become a model for other middle powers seeking to assert influence in a fractured global tech order while fostering inclusive growth.
