The Pact’s Fine Print

Context:

• India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET)announced in May 2022 at quadrilateral summit in Tokyo, comes half a century too late for India, but is fruitful for India’s development.

About Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET):

• Lifting Trade restrictions: Indo-US technology cooperation will persuade the US to lift existing export control restrictions, and encouraging the private sector of both countries to cooperate in sensitive sectors.
• Commitments for privacy: A mutual commitment to investing in advanced technologies, such as quantum computing, AI and space, as well as the critical field of semiconductor design and manufacture is chosen by both countries.
• Need for India: India’s defence industrial complex has been struggling for decades and on which iCET must focus urgently.