A New chapter in Defence and tech

Context: 

The U.S. and India inaugurated their initiative on critical and emerging technologies (ICET). 

Focus areas under the initiative:

• Under ICET, the two sides have identified six focus areas of co-development and co-production: strengthening innovation ecosystems, defence innovation and technology cooperation, resilient semiconductor supply chains, space, STEM talent and next generation telecom.

American aid to India:

• Since the 1950s, the U.S. has played a significant role in India’s development efforts and quest for technological capability. 
• During the Cold War: This era persuaded the U.S. to provide sweeping assistance in a range of areas to India. 
• Nuclear Energy & Space Programme: The U.S. helped build India’s first reactors for research and power.  But this cooperation abruptly ended after India’s first nuclear test in 1974. The same could be said, though in a somewhat different manner, for India’s space programme.

• Education: Massive aid provided by the U.S. to modernize Indian education, especially engineering and management. The Gandhi-Reagan Science and Technology Initiative led to the 1984 India-U.S. MoUs on sensitive technologies, commodities and information. 

• Green Revolution: The one area in which India did get lasting and important benefits was agriculture where American S&T helped trigger the Green Revolution and end an era of food shortages.
• Arms: In 1987, the U.S. agreed to assist India’s Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas) programme and allowed the sale of front line GE 404 engines to India. 

Issues:

• Nuclear weapon issues: After the Soviet collapse, the U.S. pushed for the unconditional extension of the non-proliferation treaty and to sign a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. At this stage, India came out as a declared nuclear weapons power.
• Sanctions: There was another round of sanctions after the 1998 nuclear tests. The course has not been problem-free — witness the pressure India faced under CAATSA and on account of its oil trade with Russia.

• Defence Technology & Trade: Despite India’s growing proximity to the U.S., there has not been significant movement in actual deliverables by way of technology development and co-production. The much-touted Defence Technology and Trade Initiative has little to show for it.

Bilateral Relationships:

• In 2008, the India-U.S. nuclear deal became the basis of our current engagement with the U.S., in which the nuclear proliferation issue was spit out.
• India is now deemed to be a Major Defence Partner, though not a Major Non-Nato Ally.

Ambitious goals:

• The U.S. will help India to develop advanced jet engines. 
• As of now, all that is on the table is the possible license manufacture of GE-404/414 engines for the LCA. 

Conclusion:

• The big need was to convert intentions and ideas into deliverables. This is a golden opportunity for India to gain from the bilateral ties & improve in emerging technologies.

News Source: The Hindu