The US and India announced fresh initiatives to enhance cooperation in semiconductors, AI, critical minerals, advanced telecommunications, and defense space, as the US is leading the charge to build a resilient supply chain that depends less on China.
According to a Whitehouse press release, on June 17, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval chaired the second meeting of the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in New Delhi since the initiative was launched in January 2023.
The US and Indian governments are set to invest over US$90 million in the US-India Global Challenges Institute over the next five years to foster high-impact partnerships between universities and research institutions from both countries. The focus areas will include semiconductor technology and manufacturing, sustainable agriculture and food security, clean energy, health equity, pandemic preparedness, and other critical and emerging technologies.
According to the Whitehouse statement, the US and India will further develop collaborations on defense, semiconductors, advanced telecommunications, quantum technology, AI, and biotechnology and biomanufacturing.
To secure semiconductor supply chains, the duo agreed to launch a new semiconductor partnership between General Atomics and 3rdiTech and expand engagement with the US and Indian investors in the semiconductor industry in India to continue to build a semiconductor and ICT ecosystem in India.
The US and India will initiate new cooperation in quantum science and technology, expanding bilateral cooperation in quantum communication, post-quantum migration and security, and Digital Twins.
The US and India will build a clean energy and a critical minerals partnership by promoting India's role in the Mineral Security Partnership, establishing a US-India Advanced Minerals R&D forum, deepening industrial and commercial coordination for critical mineral supply chains, committing to conclude a bilateral Critical Minerals MoU, exploring opportunities for collaboration in the critical minerals sector, advancing Indian collaboration with US organizations and companies for carryout research studies for beneficiation of critical minerals, and building a collaborate program between the Geological Survey of India and the US Geological Survey.
