iCET Initiative

Current Context : The 2nd meeting of the India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) was held between the two countries in New Delhi.

ABOUT ICET

• The iCET was announced by India and the US in May 2022 and was officially launched in January 2023.
• It is being run by the National Security Council of both countries.
• Aim : to promote collaboration in critical and emerging technology areas, including AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and wireless telecommunication.
• Under iCET, both countries have identified six areas of cooperation which would include co-development and co-production, that would gradually be expanded to QUAD, then to NATO, followed by Europe and the rest of the world.
• Under iCET, India is ready to share its core technologies with the US and expects Washington to do the same.

FOCUS AREAS OF THE INITIATIVE:

• AI research agency partnership.
• Defense industrial cooperation, defense technological cooperation, and defense startups.
• Innovation Ecosystems.
• Semiconductor ecosystem
• Cooperation on human spaceflight.
• Advancement in 5G and 6G technologies, and adoption of OpenRAN network technology in India.

PROGRESS MADE SO FAR:

• Key achievements include the Quantum Coordination Mechanism, public-private dialogue on telecommunication, important exchanges on AI and space, MoU on establishing a semiconductor supply chain, and conclusion of a roadmap for defense industrial
• The two countries are close to finalizing a mega jet engine deal, and a new initiative called the India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) is set to be launched.
• Strategic Trade Dialogue has been established to address regulatory barriers and review export control norms.