The India- US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) was launched by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi during the Quad summit on May 2022. It was established in order to elevate and expand our strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the country’s governments, businesses and academic institutions. India and the US uphold how technology is designed, developed, governed and used should be shaped by our shared democratic values and respect for 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”, says the White House in a factsheet. The first inaugural meeting was successfully hosted by India-US Business Council with US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and other senior US and Indian officials in Washington DC. Along with them, more than 40 CEOs, university presidents and thought leaders were presented there, pitched ideas and opportunities to increase technological cooperation.

Both sides discussed the vast opportunities for cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, development, production and other innovative ways to extend the connectivity. They discussed the importance of establishing “innovation bridges” in the significant sectors through expos, hackathons and pitch sessions. India and US are launching new bilateral initiatives and cooperation in the following domains to expand and deepen the technological partnership. 

Building robust, innovative ecosystems

India and the US have agreed to expand international collaboration in various areas like Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technologies and Advanced Wireless. It is also decided to establish a joint Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism with participation from government, industry and academia for the enablement of research and industry collaboration.

Defence innovation and technology cooperation

India and the US have launched a new bilateral Defense Industrial Cooperation Roadmap to accelerate technological cooperation. They are also enhancing research focus on identifying Maritime Security and Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) operational use cases. In addition, they are launching a new “Innovation Bridge” linking the Indian and US defence start-ups.

Building a resilient semiconductor supply chain

India and the US intend to promote the development of a skilled workforce that will support global semiconductor supply chains. The task force will identify and facilitate workforce development, R&D, including with respect to advanced packaging, and exchange opportunities to benefit both countries.

Space

India and the United States are establishing new exchanges, including advanced astronaut training for Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)/Department of Space astronauts at NASA Johnson Space Centre. Also, strengthening bilateral commercial space partnerships between the countries. The discussion expanded the agenda of the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group in order to include planetary defence as well.

Science and Technology

An exciting initiative for higher education where the administration welcomes a joint task force of the Association of American Universities and leading Indian educational institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology that will make recommendations for research and university partnerships. 

Telecommunications and Regulations

A public-private dialogue on telecommunications and regulations has launched. They also advanced cooperation on research and development of 5G and 6G to enable the adoption of Open RAN in India. 

Both countries are looking forward to joining the next meeting of iCET in New Delhi later in 2023 with more innovative strategies. The National Security Council of India and the US are expected to coordinate with their ministries, departments and agencies to work with their counterparts to advance in cooperation.