National Security Advisor Ajit Doval emphasised that India and the US must maintain leadership in developing critical technologies as part of their broader strategic interests. Doval made these remarks in the presence of his American counterpart, Jake Sullivan. The statements followed a day after both officials unveiled a series of transformative initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation between India and the US in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology, critical minerals, advanced telecommunications, and defence space.

According to Doval, "The US and India have to stay at the forefront of technology to safeguard our respective value systems, which are integral to our larger strategic interests." The National Security Advisor addressed the iCET (India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology) industry roundtable hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). He highlighted the advancements of iCET since its inception, particularly in defence innovation and startups, and underscored the significance of the semiconductor industry.

During his speech, Sullivan outlined three key areas for technology partnerships: innovation, production, and deployment. He stressed the importance of innovation and advocated for governmental support for the private sector. Sullivan also noted bipartisan support in the US for Indian industry and emphasised the need to build ecosystems and supply chains to enhance production.

Both NSAs assured the industry leaders that they welcomed their inputs on specific issues, promising thorough consideration to resolve any impediments hindering deeper India-US ties. The iCET initiative represents a landmark agreement between the two nations focusing on emerging technologies such as AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, and defence innovation.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that during Monday's iCET meeting between Doval and Sullivan, both sides acknowledged the substantial progress made in deepening strategic cooperation across key technology sectors. They also discussed future steps to further facilitate mutual collaboration and address outstanding barriers in trade, technology, and industrial cooperation.

The CII roundtable convened industry leaders from both countries, reflecting efforts to mobilise private sector investments and partnerships across critical technology sectors. Indian representatives included leaders from prominent companies like BHEL, Bharat Forge, Bharti Airtel, L&T, Tata Advanced Systems, Tata Power, and Tejas Network. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral collaboration and exploring avenues where governmental facilitation could play a crucial role in removing specific barriers.

Sullivan's visit to Delhi from June 17 to 18 marked the first trip to India by a senior Biden Administration official since the Modi government began its third term. His delegation included senior US government officials and industry leaders, underscoring the commitment to strengthening bilateral ties in technology and other strategic areas.