The recent bilateral meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden have significantly broadened and deepened technology cooperation between India and the United States. This partnership spans various domains, including defense, space, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, clean energy, and advanced telecommunications. Both nations are committed to fostering innovation, enhancing R&D collaboration, and strengthening strategic ties through initiatives like iCET, Artemis, and NISAR, reflecting a shared vision for a technologically advanced future.
The US and India have expanded their technology cooperation across sectors, including semiconductors, biotechnology, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and defense. This partnership aims to modernize India’s tech-industrial base, enhance national security, and promote sustainable development through collaborative efforts in research, innovation, and industrial production.
The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) aims to bolster cooperation in key areas such as space, AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors. This initiative fosters joint research, innovation, and technology transfer, enhancing both nations’ capabilities in advanced sectors and supporting collaborations in civil and commercial space.
The establishment of GlobalFoundries’ GF Kolkata Power Center in India is a significant step towards creating resilient semiconductor supply chains. This center will focus on R&D in chip manufacturing, advancing technologies like connected vehicles, AI, and IoT. Strategic partnerships aim to create high-quality jobs and strengthen both countries’ positions in the global semiconductor market.
The US-India Global Challenges Institute plans to mobilize over $90 million in funding for high-impact R&D partnerships between universities and research institutions in both countries. Additionally, the launch of the US-India Advanced Materials R&D Forum will expand collaboration across national laboratories and private sector researchers.
Seventeen new awards for binational R&D in AI and quantum technologies have been announced, supported by the US-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund. These efforts are aligned with iCET goals, fostering advancements that drive technological innovation in both countries.
The second convening of the US-India Quantum Coordination Mechanism in August 2024 led to new R&D collaboration awards in quantum technology, emphasizing the growing partnership between the two nations in cutting-edge technology sectors.
The Artemis Program, aiming to return humans to the Moon, involves India through joint missions and technology sharing, enhancing scientific research and space exploration. The NISAR mission, a collaborative satellite project between NASA and ISRO, will provide detailed observations of Earth’s land and ice, supporting environmental management and scientific research.
The US and India have launched initiatives to promote collaborative research in biotechnology, focusing on synthetic and engineering biology, systems biology, and computational biology. This collaboration aims to address complex scientific challenges and develop innovations in biomanufacturing, advancing the bioeconomy and public health.
Ongoing cooperation includes the US Agency for International Development’s investment in the Asia Open RAN Academy to expand 5G and next-generation telecommunications training, particularly in South Asia, including India.
Launched after the 2023 MOU between the US Commerce Department and India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this agenda aims to enhance innovation ecosystems through industry roundtables and fostering connections between startups, investors, and government officials to accelerate investment in technological innovation.
Quote for Aspiring Civil Servants: “Partnerships built on shared vision and technological excellence propel nations toward a future where boundaries are defined not by borders, but by shared aspirations and achievements.”
Q1. What are the main areas of cooperation between India and the US?
Answer: India and the US cooperate primarily in defense, space, AI, quantum computing, clean energy, and advanced telecommunications, aiming for mutual growth and security.
Q2. What is the significance of the iCET initiative?
Answer: The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) supports collaboration in key sectors like AI and semiconductors, enhancing both nations' technological capabilities.
Q3. How does the US-India Global Challenges Institute contribute to R&D?
Answer: It mobilizes over $90 million in funding for impactful R&D partnerships between universities and research institutions in both countries.
Q4. What role does the Artemis Program play in India-US relations?
Answer: The Artemis Program involves India in joint missions and technology sharing, enhancing scientific research and exploration in space.
Q5. What advancements are being made in biotechnology collaboration?
Answer: Initiatives are focusing on synthetic biology and biomanufacturing, aiming to address scientific challenges and promote public health innovations.
Kutos : AI Assistant!
