Modi visit to US: India-US tech ties poised for 'orbital jump'

Setting the agenda for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to US, the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) held a meeting in New Delhi to propel technological partnership between the two countries to new heights.

Co-chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his American counterpart Jake Sullivan, the NSAs agreed on advancing “co-development and co-production of high technology products and services in both countries”. The NSAs also participated in the second Track 1.5 dialogue on iCET organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

iCET will provide an “orbital jump” to strategic ties between the two countries and emerge as one of the most important pillars of the relationship, NSA Ajit Doval said. Alluding to a strategic trade dialogue set up by two countries, Mr Doval said that iCET will serve as a platform to address regulatory barriers, and issues related to exports control. The two NSAs also reviewed progress in identified areas of cooperation like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, telecommunications, defence and space. “We have been able to kickstart the Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism, signed an MoU on semi-conductors, the public private dialogue on telecom engaging stakeholders from the government, industry and academia to further open collaboration in Open RAN, 5G and 6G has been kickstarted, detailed dialogue on biotech is being held, important exchanges on AI have taken place, and there is positive momentum under the defence and space pillars,” said Mr Doval.

Mr Sullivan focusied on removal of barriers to collaboration on both sides “to maximise the full potential of bilateral ties”. “The US and India are poised to lead in clean energy transformation, shore up and diversify global semi-conductor supply chains…,” he said.

US NSA Sullivan also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed Prime Minister on the progress in various sectors of bilateral cooperation. He conveyed that the US President Biden looked forward to welcoming Prime Minister on the State Visit.

PM Modi, on his part, expressed satisfaction at the growing and deepening Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the US. Prime Minister said that he looked forward to a productive visit and an engaging conversation with President Biden on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, said a statement from Prime Minister’s Office.

Author Profile

Manish Chand

Manish Chand is Founder-CEO and Editor-in-Chief of India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) and India and World, a pioneering magazine focused on international affairs. He is CEO/Director of TGII Media Private Limited, an India-based media, publishing, research and consultancy company.