- National Security Advisers of India and US chaired the second meeting of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
- They resolved to prevent the leakage of sensitive and dual-use technologies to countries of concern.
- The NSAs set the vision for the next chapter of the strategic technology partnership, focusing on co-production, co-development, and research in critical and emerging technology areas.
- Advanced talks on India purchasing MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles and licensed manufacture of GE-414 jet engines and Stryker infantry vehicles. Discussions also covered the co-production of land warfare systems.
- Launch of a strategic semiconductor partnership between General Atomics and Indian firm 3rdiTech to co-develop semiconductor design and manufacturing for precision-guided ammunition and other security-focused electronics.
- Promoting India’s role in the Mineral Security Partnership, including co-investing in a lithium resource project in South America and a rare earth deposit in Africa to diversify critical mineral supply chains responsibly.
- Both NSAs are set to address the India-U.S. iCET roundtable with industry heads organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
iCET Expansion
- The iCET, announced in May 2022 and launched in January 2023, includes sectors like space, semiconductors, telecommunications, AI, quantum science, biotechnology, and clean energy.
- New areas added include biotechnology, critical minerals, rare earths processing, digital connectivity, digital public infrastructure, and advanced materials.
- It reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
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