India and the US on Tuesday decided to improve strategic cooperation in the field of critical and emerging technologies, during a meeting between Indian and American National Security Advisers (NSA) — Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan — in Washington.
The Meeting
In a first of its kind meeting, Doval and Sullivan, along with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, held the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). The event was under the aegis of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) and attended by the Indian ambassador to Washington, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
A unique & special reception in India House!
— Taranjit Singh Sandhu (@SandhuTaranjitS) January 31, 2023
Delighted to host 🇮🇳NSA Ajit Doval, 🇺🇸NSA @JakeSullivan46 Commerce Sec @GinaRaimondo, CEOs frm India & US & leadership of prominent Universities.
Insightful conversations on building bilateral cooperation in critical & emerging tech pic.twitter.com/nBdUBllipZ
The meeting involved discussions on possible avenues of cooperation in advanced technologies, including semiconductor manufacturing, space, aerospace and defence, and information technology.
High-Trust Ecosystem
USIBC President and former US ambassador to India Atul Keshap underscored that the US and India are “members of a high-trust ecosystem underpinned by converging interests and shared values.” He noted the willingness of both sides to hold the inaugural iCET summit, highlighting the importance that business plays in “bolstering the security and prosperity” of India and the US.
Semiconductor Supply Chain
The two sides discussed ways to “facilitate deeper alignment” in the semiconductor design and manufacturing and make the supply chain more resilient. They agreed that this includes deepening joint research, strengthening workforce and education connectivity, and promoting investment.
USIBC hosted U.S. Secretary of Commerce @GinaRaimondo, U.S. NSA @JakeSullivan46, and Indian NSA Ajit Doval for a roundtable with industry and academia ahead of the launch of the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). pic.twitter.com/9bKUL6mHhz
— U.S.-India Business Council (@USIBC) January 31, 2023
Furthermore, they called microchips a “critical technology” and vowed to work together to build a “reliable” semiconductor supply chain.
Doval and Sullivan’s Remarks
Sullivan stressed that the summit is more than just technology cooperation; “it’s a platform to accelerate our strategic convergence and policy alignment,” he added. Doval commended the iCET initiative and said it would improve India’s use of technology for economic growth and social cohesion.