Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States, which came at a time when the world is facing significant geopolitical, economic, technological and climate challenges, marked another milestone in relations between the world’s two largest democracies. Proved to be a stone.
At a time of rapid global shift towards a multilateral approach, the visit was aimed at implementing the “bold and courageous” commitments that Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden made to make this one of the most defining and consequential bilateral relations ever. Were. century.
a deep commitment
While the highlight of the trip was the sixth Quad Leaders Summit hosted by President Biden in his hometown Wilmington, Delaware, bilateral ties got a huge boost with major announcements in areas such as semiconductors, space, advanced telecommunications, artificial intelligence, quantum munition, etc. Biotechnology, and clean energy. These historic initiatives demonstrate our deep commitment to realizing the ambitious goals of the US-India Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership.
The Quad, a strategic alliance of India, the United States, Australia, and Japan with a commitment to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific as a key power in implementing concrete initiatives in the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the entire region Has developed. Indian Ocean region. The summit strengthened cooperation in various areas including maritime security, health, cyber capabilities, climate security, semiconductor supply chains and disaster preparedness. The launch of the Quad Investors Network, designed to accelerate investment in critical and emerging technologies, coinciding with the inaugural meeting of Quad Commerce and Industry Ministers in the coming months, underscoring the important role businesses will play within the Quad .
chipping in
Most notable, however, is the establishment of the first India-US semiconductor fabrication unit focusing on advanced sensing, communications and power electronics. Billed as the first national security semiconductor fabrication plant, it will produce chips for military applications, not only strengthening the supply chain ecosystem but further strengthening the vital India-US defense relationship.
The success and expansion of the US-India Defense Industrial Cooperation Roadmap through India’s planned purchase of 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft, enhancing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, is another important outcome of Prime Minister Modi’s visit. This, along with initiatives such as the establishment of a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), underlines the deep defense partnership between the two countries, which Is necessary. Addressing current and future global security challenges.
The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), launched by both countries in 2023, serves as an important platform to guide responsible technological development globally and secure our countries’ technology supply chains. The recent meeting expanded this strategic cooperation through tangible actions, such as supporting high-impact R&D partnerships between U.S. and Indian universities and research institutes in the areas of semiconductors, next generation communication systems, and biotechnology. Raising millions of dollars. Sustainability, connected vehicles, and green technologies and initiatives involving intelligent transportation systems and advanced materials, quantum, and artificial intelligence.
on clean energy
The recently unveiled US-India Roadmap to Create Secure and Secure Global Clean Energy Supply Chains, with a commitment to unlock more than $1 billion in multilateral financing for both countries to support renewable energy transition, energy storage and net zero represents another historic opportunity to lead in. emission vehicles, while the collaboration under the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership to accelerate the development of supply chains for critical minerals reflects a concerted effort towards operationalizing this energy partnership.
Industry in both countries is playing an important role in implementing these initiatives. While Indian companies are looking for investment and access to technologies, US companies already employ millions of Indians, eager to further dip into the vast Indian talent pool and the world’s largest market. Prime Minister Modi, in his meeting with some of America’s top CEOs, emphasized the immense potential for technical cooperation. This mutual development can revolutionize the global technology landscape while advancing shared India-US prosperity.
Finally, deepening ties with the United States could be central to Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India a developed nation by 2047. The bipartisan understanding of India’s importance in the world makes the US a key stakeholder and player in India’s growth story. His latest visit not only strengthened the Quad but also highlighted the alignment between the two countries, as well as created new avenues and mechanisms for cooperation among all stakeholders. As India’s largest trading partner, the United States will be instrumental in providing India the capital, expertise, and market access needed to climb the global economic ladder.
(Rahul Sharma is Managing Director at USIBC, and Aditya Kiran Kaushik is Senior Director, Digital Economy, Media and Entertainment at USIBC.)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
