In addition to the fact that the i960 chips were so basic that more advanced microprocessors could be bought in a store, the event occurred when China was being laughed at for equality with the US, easily circumventing US export restrictions, while Washington was asleep at the wheel, to the extent of obtaining classified information relating to the design of inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and nuclear weapons.
Washington appears to have finally woken up to the Chinese threat and its misplaced distrust of India that has been going on for generations. In an unprecedented engagement, top officials from both sides are meeting this week to advance the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET), which aims to overcome residual wrinkles and create an eco-system driven by mutual trust to develop. Following the decision taken by President Biden and the Prime Minister in May 2022, a delegation of top Indian strategic and scientific leaders is meeting their American counterparts in Washington today to take ties to the next level.
The composition of the Indian delegation itself gives an indication of what is on the table. It includes ISRO chairman led by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval S Somnath, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister, Ajay Kumar Sood; G Satheesh Reddy, Scientific Advisor to the Defense Minister; Department of Telecom Secretary K Raja Ram and Director General of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Sameer Kamat,
In support of ICET, the US Chamber of Commerce on Monday held a roundtable with industry executives across the spectrum of advanced technologies, including semiconductor design and manufacturing, commercial electronics, advanced telecommunications, commercial space, aerospace and defense, and information technology services . With US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan In attendance, officials and officials “discussed opportunities to foster the development of critical and emerging technologies such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence,” the US India Business Council, which hosted the roundtable, said.
A major theme during the roundtable was how the two governments can facilitate deeper alignment on technology issues, including encouraging semiconductor supply chain resilience. US NSA Sullivan said, “ICET is much more than technology cooperation, it is a platform to accelerate our strategic convergence and policy alignment,” adding that Washington and New Delhi want to establish a list of “firsts”. ,” – “first” in removing obstacles – on both sides – to enable greater ambition by all of you.”
According to the USIBC statement, NSA Ajit Doval and India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu highlighted India’s remarkable potential for technology development and absorption, and not only as an engine of economic growth but also as a means of social inclusion. Emphasized on the use of India’s technology as The two officials spoke of the “natural complementary strengths of the Indian and US economies and the growing strategic convergence between the two countries”. They also emphasized India’s growing role as a trusted supply chain partner and contributor to the global technology value chain underlined the importance of Export control measures to facilitate technology access, co-production, and co-development between India and the United States.
Much of the rising engagement is certainly driven by the dazzling heights of Indian-origin tech experts and executives in the US, including leading tech companies such as Microsoft and Google. In one session, the roundtable discussed microchips as an important technology and how the US-India relationship could play an important role in building a reliable semiconductor supply chain, even as Washington turns bullish on China.
“It is promising to see that the US and India prioritize the necessary discussions and investments that will enable greater semiconductor leadership within and between partner economies. The US Chamber of Commerce, as a leading advocate of the Chips and Science Act and now as the host of the US-India ICET Dialogue, is creating compelling opportunities for public-private partnerships that will ultimately strengthen our economies. Micron looks forward to continuing to work with both government, the Chamber and industry as part of this premier forum. Sanjay MehrotraMicron Technology’s President and CEO told the meeting.