US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, A Game Changer

By IndraStra Global Editorial Team

Source: Indian Embassy, Washington, DC /New Service Division, All India Radio

On January 31, 2023, the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) was launched by the United States and India, with its inaugural meeting taking place in Washington, D.C. The meeting was led by U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, and involved the participation of senior officials from both countries.
The meeting involved the participation of key officials from various U.S. entities, including the Administrator of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Executive Secretary of the National Space Council, as well as senior officials from the Departments of State, Commerce, Defense, and the National Security Council.
Representing the Indian side were officials such as the Ambassador of India to the United States, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, the Scientific Advisor to the Defense Minister, the Director General of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and senior officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the National Security Council Secretariat.
The iCET initiative was first announced in May 2022 by U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Quad meeting in Tokyo, and it aims to strengthen the strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the two countries. It seeks to shape the development, governance, and use of technology to promote an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem rooted in democratic values and institutions.
The initiative identifies key technology sectors such as defense, semiconductor supply chains, space, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) while highlighting areas like biotechnology, advanced materials, and rare earth processing technology. It emphasizes co-development, co-production, and the establishment of "innovation bridges" through expos, hackathons, and pitch sessions.
iCET serves as a valuable mechanism to address regulatory barriers, business challenges, and talent mobility issues for the benefit of both countries. Strengthening the innovation ecosystems in India and the United States is crucial, leading to the signing of a new implementation arrangement for a research agency partnership between the U.S. National Science Foundation and Indian science agencies. This partnership aims to expand collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and advanced wireless technology, fostering a robust innovation ecosystem between the two nations.
The establishment of a joint Indo-U.S. quantum coordination mechanism involving stakeholders from industry, academia, and government aims to facilitate research and industry collaboration in the quantum field. The initiative also seeks to coordinate and develop multi-stakeholder standards aligned with democratic values. Collaboration in high-performance computing (HPC) is also planned, including efforts to lower barriers to U.S. exports of HPC technology and source code to India.
The iCET initiative places particular importance on resilient semiconductor supply chains, aligning with India's goals of becoming a key partner in global semiconductor supply chains. Space cooperation is also a significant aspect, covering areas such as human space flight, commercial cooperation related to NASA's projects, and expanding the scope of the India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group.
Regarding defense innovation and technology cooperation, iCET aims to establish a defense industrial cooperation roadmap, focusing on joint development and production, initially in projects related to jet engines and munition-related technologies. The U.S. has received an application from General Electric for the joint production of General Electric F-414 jet engines that could be used in HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, an indigenous fighter aircraft, and the review of this application is expected to be expedited. Long-term research and collaboration in maritime security, intelligence surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operational use cases are also planned.
The strategic relationship between India and the U.S. is poised for deep collaboration across defense and critical and emerging technologies. India's growing concerns about national security, particularly in relation to China, have prompted a willingness to embrace closer ties with the United States, especially in areas that benefit India's interests.

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