“No corner of human enterprise is untouched by the partnership between our two great countries, which spans the seas to the stars,” the joint statement, heavy on tech specs, rhapsodized, outlining unprecedented engagement in artificial intelligence, semi-conductors, quantum science, space exploration among other cutting edge areas.
Such is the emphasis on tech, particularly critical technologies, that agriculture, once the cornerstone of ties with a country that helped India become food sufficient, finds only one fleeting mention in the 6000-word joint statement. The two sides have also chosen to put behind them decades of US sanctions that constrained India space and nuclear programs.”The US-India Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership is anchored in a new level of trust and mutual understanding and enriched by the warm bonds of family and friendship that inextricably link our countries together,” the joint statement said, affirming a vision characterising them as “among the closest partners in the world.”
Indicative of the imminent passing of heavy-handed US restriction on technology exports, President Biden reiterated his commitment to work with US Congress to lower barriers to US exports to India of High Performance Computing technology and source code. The two leaders also directed their aides to undertake regular efforts to address export controls, explore ways of enhancing high technology commerce, and facilitate technology transfer between the two countries.
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The two sides also launched two Joint Task Forces on advanced telecommunications, including development in 5G/6G technologies, standards cooperation, facilitating access to chipsets for system development, and establishing joint research and development projects. They also welcomed the launch of a $2million grant program under the US-India Science and Technology Endowment fund for the joint development and commercialization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies.
“The visit has not only been extremely rich on form but also rich in substance,” India’s foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra told journalists.
As part of the enhanced cooperation the two sides will launch 35 innovative joint research collaborations in emerging technologies funded by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST). Under a new implementation arrangement between NSF and DST, both sides will fund joint research projects in computer and information science and engineering, cyber physical systems, and secure and trustworthy cyberspace.
Furthermore, NSF and India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will bring fresh funding for joint projects in applied research areas such as semiconductors, next generation communication, cyber security, sustainability and green technologies and intelligent transportation systems.
Hailing the landmark signing of an MoU between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the manufacture of GE F-414 jet engines in India for the Light Combat Aircraft Mk 2, they termed it a ” trailblazing initiative… that will enable greater transfer of US jet engine technology than ever before.”
They also welcomed India’s emergence as a hub for maintenance and repair for forward deployed US Navy assets and the conclusion of Master Ship Repair Agreements with Indian shipyards — a throwback to World War Two era when U.S aircraft in the Asia theater were flown Bangalore for maintenance and repair.
Without naming China, the two leaders expressed concern over its coercive actions in the region, while strongly opposing “destabilizing or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force.”
Pakistan found a more direct mention, as they called on Islamabad to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks and for perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice.