Recently, NSAs of India and the U.S. assured the industry that due diligence would be done to resolve any barriers which hold back deeper India- U.S. ties.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

• Strengthening Export Controls: The U.S. side pressed for strengthening of India’s export controls as well the ease of doing business.
• Liberalisation of Licensing Requirements: The Indian side pressed for liberalization of licensing requirements for India for more high-tech areas as well as increased funding for research and development.
• Enhanced Cooperation Agreement: Both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in several areas including Defence technology, Space, Artificial Intelligence, High-Performance Computing, and critical minerals.
• Strategic Trade and Technology Commitment: Both countries pledged to take tangible steps in the upcoming months to resolve long standing obstacles to bilateral strategic trade, technology, and industrial cooperation, particularly in the commercial and civil space sector.
• iCET Initiative Leadership: Both National Security Advisors chaired the second meeting of the India-U.S. initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

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National Security Advisor

• About: The National Security Adviser is the highest-ranking official on India’s National Security Council and serves as the principal adviser to the Prime Minister on national security policy and international affairs.
• Role: It advises the Prime Minister of India on a regular basis regarding both internal and external threats and opportunities facing the country. 
  • Additionally, the NSA manages strategic and sensitive matters on behalf of the Prime Minister.
• Special Representative: The National Security Advisor of India also acts as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for engagements with China, and serves as the envoy to Pakistan and Israel on security matters.
• Coordination with the Intelligence Agencies: The NSA gathers and organizes intelligence reports from various agencies (RAW, IB, NTRO, MI, DIA, NIA) to brief the Prime Minister. 
  • The NSA is assisted by Deputy National Security Advisors (Deputy NSAs).

National Security Council

• About: The National Security Council (NSC) of India plays a pivotal role in advising the Prime Minister on national security matters and strategic interests.
• Origin: It was instituted by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India in 1998, appointing Brajesh Mishra as its first National Security Advisor.
• Structure: The NSC of India is structured into three tiers, overseeing strategic political, economic, energy, and security issues. 
  • The National Security Advisor (NSA) chairs the NSC and serves as the principal advisor to the Prime Minister.
• Three Tiers: The NSC includes three tiers: the Strategic Policy Group (SPG), the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), and the National Security Council Secretariat.
  • The SPG, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, serves as the main forum for inter-ministerial coordination and integration of pertinent inputs.
  • The NSAB conducts long-term analysis and offers perspectives on national security issues.
• Functions: Operating within the Prime Minister’s executive office, it facilitates communication between the government’s executive branch and intelligence services, providing counsel to leadership on intelligence and security matters.
• Members: Its members include the Ministers of Home Affairs, Defence, External Affairs, and Finance

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