‘Not just about China’: US over technology set-up with India : The Tribune India
PTI
Washington, February 2nd
US President Joe Biden believes the Indo-US Critical and Emerging Technologies Initiative (iCET) is key for the two countries to create a democratic tech ecosystem, the White House said.
iCET, touted as the “next big thing” in India-US relations, was unveiled Tuesday here at the White House by national security advisers Jake Sullivan of the US and Ajit K Doval of India.
“The President believes this initiative is key for the US and India to create a democratic technology ecosystem and strengthen our democratic values and our democratic institutions. We see this as an incredibly important initiative and partnership with India,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news briefing.
iCET was launched at the direction of Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who announced after their meeting in Tokyo in May 2022 that they would develop and expand the strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, companies and academic institutions of the two countries.
“President and Prime Minister Modi already announced this initiative when they met at a meeting last May 2022 – and it took place in Tokyo – and instructed their national security advisers to lead our partnership on critical new technologies,” said Jean- Pierre on Wednesday in response to a question.
“We made our announcements yesterday in defensive innovation, semiconductors, 5G and STEM talent. We look forward to building on this momentum in the coming months and years. So again an important partnership, an initiative between the two friends who are two countries,” she said.
When asked if this initiative was aimed at China, the spokesman replied that it was not about a country.
“You cannot ignore the geopolitical context in which we live since you asked me about China, but this initiative is not about any country, it is about a country. It’s really about something bigger, a relationship between two friends, two countries that have been partners for a while,” she said.
“As two of the world’s leading economies and democracies, it is in our interest to strengthen this partnership and deliver for our people, and when you think of the economies and the people around the world. So we think this is an important step forward and we will continue to grow with this innovation initiative,” said Jean-Pierre.
At a separate news briefing, Deputy State Department Press Secretary Vedant Patel told reporters that the US-India Critical and Emerging Technologies Initiative will improve and expand strategic technology partnership and defense industry cooperation.
“The two sides discussed ways for greater collaboration on critical and emerging technologies, co-development and co-production, and ways to deepen connectivity in our innovation ecosystems,” he said.
“We have also expanded our defense cooperation with joint development and production, and this will focus on projects related to jet engines, munitions-related technologies and other systems. I will continue to let our colleagues in the White House and National Security Council discuss this meeting,” Patel said.
