India FACT SHEET: United States and India Elevate Strategic Partnership with the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)

[Nilgiri]

FACT SHEET: United States and India Elevate Strategic Partnership with the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) | The White House

President Biden and Prime Minister Modi announced the U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in May 2022 to elevate and expand our strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of our...

www.whitehouse.gov

JANUARY 31, 2023

President Biden and Prime Minister Modi announced the U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in May 2022 to elevate and expand our strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of our two countries.

The United States and India affirm that the ways in which technology is designed, developed, governed, and used should be shaped by our shared democratic values and respect for universal human rights. We are committed to fostering an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem, based on mutual trust and confidence, that will reinforce our democratic values and democratic institutions.

Today, the two National Security Advisors led the inaugural meeting of the iCET in Washington, DC. They were joined on the U.S. side by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Executive Secretary of the National Space Council, and senior officials from the Department of State, Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, and the National Security Council. On the Indian side, the Ambassador of India to the United States, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, the Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, the Scientific Advisor to the Defense Minister, the Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organization, and senior officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the National Security Council Secretariat participated. The two sides discussed opportunities for greater cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, co-development and coproduction, and ways to deepen connectivity across our innovation ecosystems. They noted the value of establishing “innovation bridges” in key sectors, including through expos, hackathons, and pitch sessions. They also identified the fields of biotechnology, advanced materials, and rare earth processing technology as areas for future cooperation.

The United States and India underlined their commitment to working to resolve issues related to regulatory barriers and business and talent mobility in both countries through a standing mechanism under iCET. This followed the January 30 roundtable hosted by the U.S.-India Business Council with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and other senior U.S. and Indian officials and brought together more than 40 CEOs, university presidents, and thought leaders from both countries to accelerate opportunities for increased technology cooperation.

To expand and deepen our technology partnership, the United States and India are launching new bilateral initiatives and welcoming new cooperation between our governments, industry and academia in the following domains:

Strengthening our Innovation Ecosystems

• Signing a new Implementation Arrangement for a Research Agency Partnership between the National Science Foundation and Indian science agencies to expand international collaboration in a range of areas — including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and advanced wireless — to build a robust innovation ecosystem between our countries.
• Establishing a joint Indo-U.S. Quantum Coordination Mechanism with participation from industry, academia, and government to facilitate research and industry collaboration.
• Drawing from global efforts to develop common standards and benchmarks for trustworthy AI through coordinating on the development of consensus, multi-stakeholder standards, ensuring that these standards and benchmarks are aligned with democratic values.
• Promoting collaboration on High Performance Computing (HPC), including by working with Congress to lower barriers to U.S. exports to India of HPC technology and source code.

Defense Innovation and Technology Cooperation

• Developing a new bilateral Defense Industrial Cooperation Roadmap to accelerate technological cooperation between both countries for the joint development and production, with an initial focus on exploring projects related to jet engines, munition related technologies, and other systems.
• Noting the United States has received an application from General Electric to jointly produce jet engines that could power jet aircraft operated and produced indigenously by India. The United States commits to an expeditious review of this application.
• Enhancing long-term research and development cooperation, with a focus on identifying maritime security and intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) operational use cases.
• Launching a new “Innovation Bridge” that will connect U.S. and Indian defense startups.

Resilient Semiconductor Supply Chains

• Enhancing bilateral collaboration on resilient semiconductor supply chains; supporting the development of a semiconductor design, manufacturing, and fabrication ecosystem in India; and leveraging complementary strengths, both countries intend to promote the development of a skilled workforce that will support global semiconductor supply chains and encourage the development of joint ventures and technology partnerships on mature technology nodes and packaging in India.
  • Welcoming a task force organized by the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) in partnership with the India Electronics Semiconductor Association (IESA) with participation from the Government of India Semiconductor Mission to develop a “readiness assessment” to identify near-term industry opportunities and facilitate longer-term strategic development of complementary semiconductor ecosystems.
  • This task force will make recommendations to the Department of Commerce and the India Semiconductor Mission on opportunities and challenges to overcome in order to further strengthen India’s role within the global semiconductor value chain, and will also provide input to the U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue. The task force will also identify and facilitate workforce development, R&D including with respect to advanced packaging, and exchange opportunities to benefit both countries.

Space

• Strengthening cooperation on human spaceflight, including establishing exchanges that will include advanced training for an Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)/Department of Space astronaut at NASA Johnson Space Center.
• Identifying innovative approaches for the commercial sectors of the two countries to collaborate, especially with respect to activities related to NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) project. Within the next year, NASA, with ISRO, will convene U.S. CLPS companies and Indian aerospace companies to advance this initiative.
• Initiating new STEM talent exchanges by expanding the Professional Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program (PESEP) to include space science, Earth science, and human spaceflight and extending a standing invitation to ISRO to participate in NASA’s biannual International Program Management Course
• Strengthening the bilateral commercial space partnership, including through a new U.S. Department of Commerce and Indian Department of Space-led initiative under the U.S.-India Civil Space Joint Working Group. This initiative will foster U.S.-India commercial space engagement and enable growth and partnerships between U.S. and Indian commercial space sectors.
• Welcoming the visit this week by the ISRO Chairman to the United States, as well as a visit to India by the NASA Administrator later in 2023.
• Expanding the agenda of the U.S.-India Civil Space Joint Working Group to include planetary defense.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Talent:

• Noting a new joint task force of the Association of American Universities and leading Indian educational institutions, including Indian Institutes of Technology, which will make recommendations for research and university partnerships.

Next Generation Telecommunications:

• Launching a public-private dialogue on telecommunications and regulations.
• Advancing cooperation on research and development in 5G and 6G, facilitating deployment and adoption of Open RAN in India, and fostering global economies of scale within the sector.

The United States and India look forward to the next iCET meeting in New Delhi later in 2023. The National Security Councils of both countries will coordinate with their respective ministries, departments and agencies to work with their counterparts to advance cooperation, and to engage with stakeholders to deliver on ambitious objectives ahead of the next meeting.

 

[Baryshx]

Yes, I saw this on an Indian youtube channel today.

Collaboration with GE on jet engines...I read that you had a progressive cooperation with France on jet engines and airplanes. It seemed to me more like a US project to tie India to itself. It could hamper efforts to develop and produce indigenously. I wonder where technology transfer or sharing will be in all this.

It is clear that all countries hostile to China will be made happy by the US. Of course, when the time comes, the price will be demanded against China.

 

[Nilgiri]

Collaboration with GE on jet engines...I read that you had a progressive cooperation with France on jet engines and airplanes. It seemed to me more like a US project to tie India to itself. It could hamper efforts to develop and produce indigenously. I wonder where technology transfer or sharing will be in all this.

The French (though very valued and experienced in Indian defence strategic partnership so far) have not been fully appreciative regarding Indian needs, expedience and optimal cooperation in the jet engine (GTRE - Safran) domain.

One understands why given their bargaining power being large given:

a) Russian lack of achievement in the apex of this domain that India wants to catch up on
b) The sour taste left after the 98 nuclear tests by India w.r.t US and UK

They (French) will need some reference pressure to better mould their bargaining strength and the US is largest one out there to do this as that relationship continues to fructify with India.

What happened w.r.t Barracuda SSN w.r.t AUKUS will be advantageous to India to imply to strengthen its hand w.r.t French cooperation.

We shall see how it all goes I suppose though.

It is clear that all countries hostile to China will be made happy by the US. Of course, when the time comes, the price will be demanded against China.

That is something for China to consider and stop picking fights unnecessarily.

India behind the scenes welcomes the WMD nuclearisation of Japan and South Korea.... and will also welcome the "Israeli neither confirm nor deny" option w.r.t Taiwan too.

China will be made to understand it reaps what it sows....and if it doesn't want to reap it, it better not sow it.

 

[Baryshx]

The French (though very valued and experienced in Indian defence strategic partnership so far) have not been fully appreciative regarding Indian needs, expedience and optimal cooperation in the jet engine (GTRE - Safran) domain.

One understands why given their bargaining power being large given:

a) Russian lack of achievement in the apex of this domain that India wants to catch up on
b) The sour taste left after the 98 nuclear tests by India w.r.t US and UK

They (French) will need some reference pressure to better mould their bargaining strength and the US is largest one out there to do this as that relationship continues to fructify with India.

What happened w.r.t Barracuda SSN w.r.t AUKUS will be advantageous to India to imply to strengthen its hand w.r.t French cooperation.

We shall see how it all goes I suppose though.



That is something for China to consider and stop picking fights unnecessarily.

India behind the scenes welcomes the WMD nuclearisation of Japan and South Korea.... and will also welcome the "Israeli neither confirm nor deny" option w.r.t Taiwan too.

China will be made to understand it reaps what it sows....and if it doesn't want to reap it, it better not sow it.

I don't know, is China picking a fight right now? I don't see it doing anything against any country, I don't know if there is something we don't know. The China, Taiwan thing is something between two brothers, just like the two Koreas.

What I see is that although there is no threat against the United States at the moment, the United States is waging an all-out war against China. I guess the US is fighting for the fact that only one in the world who can wage war and exploit the world. It doesn't want a partner in the world, whether it's China or India, it doesn't matter.

The USA and China are a danger to the world, other countries should not follow these countries, they should be protected from these two countries.

India will be the only country that will suffer loss and disaster if it becomes a tool of the policies of these two countries.

 

[Nilgiri]

I don't know, is China picking a fight right now? I don't see it doing anything against any country, I don't know if there is something we don't know. The China, Taiwan thing is something between two brothers, just like the two Koreas.

What I see is that although there is no threat against the United States at the moment, the United States is waging an all-out war against China. I guess the US is fighting for the fact that only one in the world who can wage war and exploit the world. It doesn't want a partner in the world, whether it's China or India, it doesn't matter.

The USA and China are a danger to the world, other countries should not follow these countries, they should be protected from these two countries.

India will be the only country that will suffer loss and disaster if it becomes a tool of the policies of these two countries.

Yes they are being extremely aggressive against India in the himalaya border (both sectors) right now. 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives in the major engagement in 2020 and China (as typical) did not release their much larger casualty toll. There is extreme uneasiness that has set in for both border sectors.

Xi has deliberately taken these steps to try coerce India....and now will have to face the long term blowback. You can also go to Indonesian section and enquire with members there about Chinese operations in Natuna islands increasing (its same phenomenon though less intensity, but it has started where it didnt before).

We welcome the US doing as much as possible in making sure CCP is dealt with in as harsh terms as required.

The backdrop of China providing Pakistan nuclear weapons will also now be increasingly addressed by making sure their entire eastern seaboard has vastly larger numbers of that (along with other significant military assets) pointed at their population centres....with all the commensurate sensoring advantage that close distance provides. Maximum help will be given to Taiwan behind the scenes regarding this as well.

These are all things China (CCP) should have shown serious approach on first (i.e stop sowing what it does against India)....otherwise we welcome everyone else sowing what they do against China and will aid in all of that 100% as long as the CCP chooses to pursue this path it has picked under Xi....and continues to purposefully make things worse.

The CCP (even after coming to power) long has this problem on sowing such mass-damaging things internally on their own people be it Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution, extreme Hukou obeisance, One child policy and decision to base virus research centers in middle of large cities (leading to latest china made damage internally and on the world).

So as the power at their disposal grows and their overall totalitarian attitude does not change (and in fact gets worse under Xi), there will be the commensurate response from rest of world in its free agency.....as rest of the world is quite different and has different lived experiences and political systems and objectives to the CCP.

 

[Baryshx]

Yes they are being extremely aggressive against India in the himalaya border (both sectors) right now. 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives in the major engagement in 2020 and China (as typical) did not release their much larger casualty toll. There is extreme uneasiness that has set in for both border sectors.

Xi has deliberately taken these steps to try coerce India....and now will have to face the long term blowback. You can also go to Indonesian section and enquire with members there about Chinese operations in Natuna islands increasing (its same phenomenon though less intensity, but it has started where it didnt before).

We welcome the US doing as much as possible in making sure CCP is dealt with in as harsh terms as required.

The backdrop of China providing Pakistan nuclear weapons will also now be increasingly addressed by making sure their entire eastern seaboard has vastly larger numbers of that (along with other significant military assets) pointed at their population centres....with all the commensurate sensoring advantage that close distance provides. Maximum help will be given to Taiwan behind the scenes regarding this as well.

These are all things China (CCP) should have shown serious approach on first (i.e stop sowing what it does against India)....otherwise we welcome everyone else sowing what they do against China and will aid in all of that 100% as long as the CCP chooses to pursue this path it has picked under Xi....and continues to purposefully make things worse.

The CCP (even after coming to power) long has this problem on sowing such mass-damaging things internally on their own people be it Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution, extreme Hukou obeisance, One child policy and decision to base virus research centers in middle of large cities (leading to latest china made damage internally and on the world).

So as the power at their disposal grows and their overall totalitarian attitude does not change (and in fact gets worse under Xi), there will be the commensurate response from rest of world in its free agency.....as rest of the world is quite different and has different lived experiences and political systems and objectives to the CCP.

Border disputes are problems to be solved through dialogue. India built nuclear weapons because China has achieved nuclear power. Pakistan made nuclear weapons because India became a nuclear power, and there is no problem with that either.

America does all the negative things you mentioned. It distributes democracy all over the world with blood and wars.

I wonder if these Japanese, Indians and Koreans are blinded, they support the US with love and fervor. The US will use these countries as pawns against China. They seem to be happy to be used.

What countries like India, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, etc. should do is to unite among themselves against China. They should not act with the plans of the US.

 

[Afif]

China (as typical) did not release their much larger casualty toll.

And how did you know their toll was larger? No body has any reliable info on this.

China providing Pakistan nuclear weapons

 

[Nilgiri]

Border disputes are problems to be solved through dialogue. India built nuclear weapons because China has achieved nuclear power. Pakistan made nuclear weapons because India became a nuclear power, and there is no problem with that either.

America does all the negative things you mentioned. It distributes democracy all over the world with blood and wars.

I wonder if these Japanese, Indians and Koreans are blinded, they support the US with love and fervor. The US will use these countries as pawns against China. They seem to be happy to be used.

What countries like India, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, etc. should do is to unite among themselves against China. They should not act with the plans of the US.

That is all easier said than done.

Where interests align, we cooperate. Where they don't align, we do not.

It's not like US and PRC have not cooperated together against India before.

US moved a CBG taskforce to threaten India at same time PRC moved large chunks of its military to border areas with India...during the Bangladesh liberation war. It is still remembered in India to this day (along with other things both countries have done since that are harmful to India and its interests....either together or by themselves)

We do not blindly follow anyone.... the perfect autonomy issue I suppose gets more difficult for smaller countries.

That is their call to make on that. We make our own relations with them with that considered in.

 

[rai456]

Border disputes are problems to be solved through dialogue. India built nuclear weapons because China has achieved nuclear power. Pakistan made nuclear weapons because India became a nuclear power, and there is no problem with that either.

America does all the negative things you mentioned. It distributes democracy all over the world with blood and wars.

I wonder if these Japanese, Indians and Koreans are blinded, they support the US with love and fervor. The US will use these countries as pawns against China. They seem to be happy to be used.

What countries like India, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, etc. should do is to unite among themselves against China. They should not act with the plans of the US.

Korea and Japan owe a lot to the USA. They benefited immensely from US aid after WW2. South Korea itself would not exist and then South Koreans would be living in poverty under the current North Korean regime if the US had not defended them in the Korean war.

 

[Baryshx]

Korea and Japan owe a lot to the USA. They benefited immensely from US aid after WW2. South Korea itself would not exist and then South Koreans would be living in poverty under the current North Korean regime if the US had not defended them in the Korean war.

The US didn't do it because it loves the Koreans so much. It happened because of the conflict of interests and sharing between China, Russia and the US.

Not to mention Japan. After all, it surrendered when it lost the war.

 

[Nilgiri]