Critical and Emerging Technologies Dialogue between India and US

Why in News?

Recently, India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) hold talks with the NSA of US on the first dialogue on Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) in the US.

 So, What is the iCET Initiative?

1. It  was launched by India and the US in May 2022, and is being run by the National Security Councils of both the countries.
2. Under iCET, both countries have identified 6 areas of cooperation which will include co-development and co-production.
3. Under iCET, India and the US will share their many core technologies with eachother.
4. The 6 Areas of Cooperation are:
   1. 1.  Scientific research and development,
      2. Quantum and artificial intelligence,
      3. Defence innovation,
      4. Space,
      5. Advanced telecom which include things like 6G,
      6. Semiconductors.
5. iCET aims to position the two countries as trusted technology partners by building technology value chains and supporting the co-development and co-production of items. 
6. Under this, the US has also agreed to produce a fighter jet engine in India for the indigenously manufactured Light Combat Aircraft. 

About the Significance of iCET Initiative

1. iCET can help in establishing close linkages between the governments, academia and the industries of  two countries.
2. The objective is to provide cutting edge technologies to the rest of the world at affordable prices.
3. The launch of the ambitious iCET dialogue is seen as “an alignment of strategic, commercial and scientific approaches” in the field of technology.
4. India is also looking to reduce its over-dependence on Russian weapons and military technology and to produce more weapons at home in partnership with the western countries.

Challenges are:

1. Hurdles on Indian side: The US has raised concerns regarding the need for regulatory and policy consistency in India and overcoming tax and custom hurdles on the Indian side.
2. China factor: The new initiative has also been criticized by China. China believe that India is willing to increase its ties with the US to advance technology and attract more funding to replace its position in the global industrial and supply chains. Though, iCET has made no explicit reference to China.

About the India-US Relations

1. The US-India partnership is founded on shared values including a commitment to democracy and upholding the rule-based international system.
2. The US and India have shared interests in promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment, and connectivity.
3. The US support India’s emergence as a leading global power and a vital partner in efforts to safeguard the Indo-Pacific as a region of peace, stability and growing prosperity.
4. In 2021, overall U.S.-India bilateral trade in goods and services reached a record USD 157 billion.
5. The US is India’s largest trading partner and most important export market too.
6. US is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. In 2021-22, India was having a trade surplus of USD 32.8 billion with the US.
7. India and the US co-operate closely at many multilateral organizations, including the United Nations, G-20, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
8. The US welcomed India in the UN Security Council in 2021 for a 2- year term and support for a reformed UN Security Council that will include India as a permanent member.
9. Together with Australia and Japan, the US and India formed the Quad to promote  free and open Indo-Pacific.
10. India is also 1 of the 12 countries partnering with the US on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
11. India is also a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), at which the US is a dialogue partner.
12. Recently, the US joined the International Solar Alliance headquartered in India.

 

Additional Information

About the Office of National Security Advisor (NSA) in India

1. The NSA is the primary advisor to the Prime Minister on the security related issues. 
2. He also presides over the National Security Council (NSC). The current NSA of India is Mr. Ajit Doval.
3. The NSC of India is a three-tiered organisation that oversees political, economic, energy and security issues of strategic concern.
4. NSC was formed in 1998 and operates within the executive office of the PM. It act as a link between the government’s executive branch and the intelligence services.

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