07

The joint statement issued from the White House, which spans across oceans and reaches the realm of the stars, has come as a global surprise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s exceptional performance at the joint session of the US Congress, along with the transformation of the relationship from an openly abusive one in the 1970s to today’s effusive praise, leaves the world wondering.The 58-paragraph long statement signifies a “new level of trust and understanding” between the two countries. It includes a dozen partnership deals on technology transfers, skill development, trade, and business. The global fight against terrorism has taken a back seat, making way for agreements on technology enhancement and renewable energy. It is worth noting that in the past, the US withheld the technology of mainframe computers from India, forcing the country to develop it independently. However, today, the US and India are moving towards a transfer agreement on “Quantum Information and Science Technology.” President Biden has expressed his intention to reduce US barriers on the export of high-performance computing (HPC) technology and source code to India.

As part of this evolving relationship, Micron Technology, a US company, will invest up to $825 million to establish a new semiconductor assembly and test facility in India, with support from the Indian government. This combined investment, valued at $2.75 billion, is expected to create up to 5,000 new direct jobs and 15,000 community job

opportunities over the next five years. Lam Research will also contribute to India’s semiconductor education and workforce development goals by training 60,000 Indian engineers through its Semiverse Solution virtual fabrication platform. This is a significant boost for India’s hardware industry, which previously lacked semiconductors.

In the defense sector, India has outlined its plan to become self-reliant (“atma nirvar”). The country is shifting its policy from purchasing defense goods to co-production. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the  manufacture of GE F-414 jet engines in India, specifically for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Light Combat Aircraft Mk 2. This initiative will facilitate a greater transfer of U.S. jet engine technology than ever before. The two leaders have committed to collaborative work and

support for this unprecedented co-production and technology transfer proposal. These efforts to manufacture semiconductors and jet engines in India are expected to transform the manufacturing sector in the country.

Other deals include advancements in telecommunications, such as research and development in 5G/6G technologies, collaborations between NASA and ISRO, and partnerships between the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST). India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) will invest $140 million in the US Department of Energy’s Fermi Laboratory for collaborative development of the Proton Improvement Plan II Accelerator. This historic Indian investment on US soil will enhance biotechnology, biosafety, and biosecurity research.

President Biden and Prime Minister Modi have also launched the U.S.-India New and Emerging Renewable Energy Technologies Action Platform. VSK Energy LLC from India has announced an investment of up to $1.5 billion to develop a new vertically integrated solar panel manufacturing opera-tion in both the United States and India. JSW Steel USA plans to invest $120 million in its Mingo Junction, Ohio, steel plant to better serve growing markets in the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors. Indian corporations are actively going global, supported by both governments. President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative will host a US-India Cancer dialogue to bring experts in the field together. Even in the realm of humanities, progress is being made. A Vivekananda Chair will be established at the University of Chicago, and a Tamil Studies chair will be established at the University of Houston to further research India’s history and culture. This change in the Indo-US relationship is undoubtedly a welcome one.