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OPINION DECEMBER 15, 2023 | The Indian Eye 12

General Electric F-414 deal as well as
the possibilities of co-production of
the Stryker infantry combat vehicles.
If defence and security relations
are finally on an even keel after many
decades of differing perspectives and
priorities on the two sides, it could
be said that it is the multi-faceted
co-operation in science and technol-
ogy that is providing the ballast for a
new phase of the relationship. During
the Dialogue, there was considerable
attention paid to the progress of
the science and technology partner-
ships. The ministers highlighted the
progress made under the India–US
Initiative on Critical and Emerging
Technology (iCET) to foster collab-
orations in science, technology, and
critical technology value chains. They
commended US private sector invest-
ments in India’s semiconductor eco-
system and urged continued strategic
partnerships between the academic,
research, and corporate sectors in
emerging technologies like quantum,
telecom, biotechnology, artificial in- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and US Secretary of
telligence, and semiconductors to
drive global innovation. State Antony Blinken co-chair the 5th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi (ANI)
The ministers also acknowledged
advancements in space collabora- by India-American entrepreneurs in States having recently reached an all- successfully by creating awareness
tions, including the establishment of 1994 to foster entrepreneurship and time high of 268,923, according to the and creating programmes in those
a sub-working group on Space Com- networking for the large number latest Open Doors report. Of these, universities in which they are present
merce and India’s participation in in- of Indians who came to the United over 73,000, or more than a quarter, in large numbers.
ternational space organisations. They States as students and then went on have enrolled for engineering de- Thus, it may be said that the
discussed mineral security, energy to set up tech start-ups in Silicon Val- grees. They present a possible pool evolution of India–US relations, par-
cooperation, and the strengthening ley. That trend still continues with In- of candidates to participate in the ticularly through the framework of
of India–US Science and Technolo- dian students studying in the United burgeoning S&T ties, if channelled the 2+2 dialogues, has consistently
gy cooperation under their bilateral moved towards deeper strategic col-
agreement. Specific collaborative laboration. Moving beyond the ini-
frameworks such as the iCET, India– tial focus on economic cooperation
US Civil Space Joint Working Group, and strategic and defence alignment,
Joint Committee Meeting on Science there is now a forward-looking em-
and Technology, and the Strategic brace of science and technology co-
Trade Dialogue Monitoring Mecha- operation. The pioneering spirit in-
nism, point to the deepening and ma- herent to science and technology can
turing of these mechanisms. be seen in initiatives like the iCET
The ecosystem for partnerships and Indus-X. With thousands of In-
between the academic, research dian students continuing to contrib-
and corporate sectors in emerging ute to the US innovation landscape,
technologies across the two coun- there is scope for increasing their
tries would be further strengthened participation in these programmes
through programmes such as the In- for the benefit of both nations.
dia–United States Defence Accelera-
tion Ecosystem (INDUS X) initiative Dr Cherian Samuel is Research Fellow
which serves to build an innovation at Manohar Parrikar Institute for De-
bridge to connect defence start-ups. fence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi
On the anvil are joint challenges, Views expressed are of the author and
establishment of a Joint Innovation do not necessarily reflect the views of
Fund, academia engagement pro- the Manohar Parrikar IDSA or of the
grammes, industry-star-startup con- Government of India.
nects, and facilitation of mentoring
by experts. The inaugural event also The full version of thiis article
had a discussion on export control first appeared in the Comments section
regulations which has stymied many a External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, US Secretary of the website (www.idsa.in) of Mano-
joint venture. of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin after the conclusion of 5th har Parrikar Institute for Defense
Indus-X recalls the TiE (The In- India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue (ANI) Studies and Analyses, New Delhi on
dus Entrepreneurs) Network created November 30, 2023

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