PM Modi’s visit to USA.

June 26, 2023

1. PM Modi’s visit to USA.

MAJOR OUTCOMES

India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X):
- The S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) launched the IndiaU.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X).
- It aims to expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Jet engine tech transfer
- Engine manufacturer GE Aerospace announced signing a MoU with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the indigenous Light combat aircraft (LCA).
- It includes the joint production of F414 engines in India for the IAF as part of the LCA Mk2 programme.
Semiconductor testing and assembly facility
- S. semiconductor and chip maker Micron Technology Inc’s announced that it would invest up to $825 million in a new chip assembly and test facility in Gujarat.
Easing Visa renewable protocols:
- S.A is announcing a pilot programme to renew visas domestically — which means that applicants do not have to travel outside the U.S. to get their renewal stamps — for certain petition-based temporary workers.
- This programme could expand to cover H1B and L-1 skilled visas by 2024 and to other categories eventually.
Space cooperation
- India signed on to the Artemis Accords, a US-led alliance seeking to facilitate international collaboration in planetary exploration and research.
- The Artemis Accords, established by the US and seven partner countries in 2020, are a set of 13 principles that seek to promote peaceful and cooperative exploration of space.
- ISRO will partner with the NASA in sending a joint mission to the International Space Station, a permanent laboratory in space, in 2024.
Purchase of Predator UAV
- A mega deal on the purchase of MQ-9 “Reaper” armed drones by India was welcomed.
Critical Minerals supply chains
- India to join Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), a US-led collaboration of 14 countries that aims to catalyse public and private investment in critical mineral supply chains globally.
Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
- US will join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), a regional initiative to promote a safe, secure, and stable maritime domain.
  - IPOI was launched in 2019 by India’s PM at the East Asia Summit held in Bangkok.