Context: 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden unveiled agreements with sweeping ambition, covering advanced technology, climate change, moon missions, multilateralism, fighter jet engine production, semiconductor investments, countering terrorism, and digital infrastructure. 

• The scope of the agreements is impressive and highlights the shared vision of both leaders.

Key Highlights of the Meeting:

• Strengthening Semiconductor Supply Chains: Micron Technology, with support from the India Semiconductor Mission, will invest more than $800 million toward a new $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India.
• Critical Minerals Partnership: India joins the US-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) to accelerate sustainable critical energy minerals supply chains globally.
• Advanced Telecommunications: India and the US have launched public-private Joint Task Forces on the development and deployment of Open Radio Access Networks (RAN) systems and on advanced telecoms research and development.
• NASA-ISRO Collaboration in Space: India signs Artemis Accords, commits to peaceful exploration, and aims to launch joint efforts to the International Space Station.
• Quantum, Advanced Computing, and Artificial Intelligence: Establishment of a Joint Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism and implanting arrangement for joint research on quantum, AI, and advanced wireless technologies.
• Innovation Handshake: To support the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), the US-India Commercial Dialogue will launch a new “Innovation Handshake” to connect the startup ecosystems of the two countries.
• GE F414 Engine Co-Production: Agreement between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to jointly produce F414 jet engines in India, enabling technology transfer.
• MQ-9Bs Drone: India intends to procure armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs. The drones will increase India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
• Defence “Innovation Bridge”: Inauguration of the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) to facilitate joint innovation and integration of India’s private sector defence industry with the US sector.

Hindrances to India-US Collaboration:

• Geopolitical Disagreements: In the past, India and the US had profound disagreements regarding the preferred geopolitical order in Asia. 
  • This included differing assessments of Soviet Russia and Communist China, Washington’s Cold War alliances, and the US tilt towards Pakistan during India’s war to liberate Bangladesh in 1971.
• Non-alignment Policy: India’s adherence to a policy of non-alignment and strategic autonomy kept the country at a distance from developing strong defense cooperation with the US.
• Lack of Productive Relationship: Previous attempts to reconcile India-US differences over Asia were hindered by residual concerns and limited possibilities for serious strategic collaboration. 
  • The relationship remained wistful, characterized by descriptions like “estranged democracies,” “wasted decades,” and “impossible allies.”
• Chinese Influence: China has consistently worked to keep India and the US apart in Asia.
  • The Chinese government’s opposition was evident in its intense resistance to initiatives like the Bush-Manmohan Singh civil nuclear initiative and its blocking of India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Factors that compelled India and the US for a close collaboration include:

• Geopolitical Balance: The evolving Asian geopolitics, which was perceived to be dominated by China, compelled India and the US to collaborate closely to construct a stable Asian balance of power system. 
• Common Interests: Both India and the US had a stake in maintaining productive relations with China while ensuring their own interests and sovereignty. 
• Changing Dynamics: The assertive policies of Chinese President Xi Jinping played a role in bringing India and the US closer. 
  • China’s efforts to keep India and the US apart in Asia, along with its opposition to their strategic cooperation, prompted India to reevaluate its position. 
• Urgency for Deterrence: The twin crises of Doklam and Galwan, which involved territorial disputes and military clashes with China, highlighted the need for India to strengthen its deterrence against China as a strategic objective. 

Conclusion: 

The evolving dynamics between India and the US signify a significant departure from the historical challenges that once hindered their collaboration. With a new US strategy aimed at building a more balanced Asia, India finds itself aligned with the vision of elevating its own capabilities and contributing to a stable regional architecture. 

News Source: The Indian Express

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