India, US Announce Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies

摘要

Deepening Indo-US ties soared to newer heights with the recent announcement of the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), aimed at collaboration in key areas. Covering a wide spectrum from military, strategic, to scientific sectors, though the iCET represents an aligned positioning between both democracies. Strategic experts are largely viewing the initiative as a measure to step up defence against a rising and expansionist China. Considered as the next big thing in fostering closer Indo-US linkages, the iCET co-led by the Indian National Security Council Secretariat and the American National Security Council represented by the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of both nations, was launched in May 2022 at the Tokyo Quad Summit in a bid to facilitate outcome-oriented cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, 5G/6G, biotech, space, semiconductors and joint defence production. Backed by intragovernmental administration, resource sharing, aca-demia, industry outreach, ideation and setting up of an ecosystem, the iCET is likely to boost resilience into a new blueprint for technology diplomacy and statecraft. The precursor to iCET was the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) established in 2012, and pushed by former US President Barack Obama to foster collaboration in critical defence technologies and promote co-production.