The first inaugural meeting under Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) was hosted by the U.S.-India Business Council with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and other senior government officials. The initiative aims to elevate and expand strategic technology partnerships and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of the United States of America and India.
The two countries reaffirmed their dedication to removing regulatory obstacles and welcomed new bilateral initiatives and cooperation between their governments, businesses, and academia. They also highlighted the importance of business and talent mobility in both countries. The US-India collaboration was unveiled on iCET in May 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden. The goal is to advance and broaden India and the US’s strategic technological relationships and defense industrial cooperation.
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In order to compete with Huawei Technologies of China, Washington wants to increase the number of Western mobile phone networks deployed in the subcontinent. It also wants to attract more Indian computer chip specialists to the US and promote cooperation between American and Indian businesses producing military hardware like artillery systems.
India, US "trusted partner" & Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) adds new dimension, says MEA Spox @abagchimea pic.twitter.com/rcWB7CNdUd
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) February 2, 2023
A collaborative effort on high-performance quantum computing and space is also included in the program. Meanwhile, the White House, which claims a review is under progress, reports that General Electric is asking the US government for authorization to develop jet engines with India that would power Indian-made and -operated aircraft.
With US prohibitions on the transfer of military technology, difficulties on immigrant labor visas, and India’s historic reliance on Moscow for military hardware, the White House will have a difficult time winning any of these battles. By taking part in military drills with Russia and purchasing Russian crude oil—a crucial source of finance for Russia’s conflict in Ukraine—New Delhi has irritated Washington.
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However, Washington has refrained from comment, urging India to take a more aggressive attitude toward China. India has so far chosen not to participate in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) trade pillar negotiations despite being a part of the IPEF, which is the Biden administration’s premier Asian engagement initiative.