Since 2021, American plus Indian leaders have leant on their national-security advisors, Jake Sullivan plus Ajit Doval, respectively, to initiate plus arbitrate inter-departmental policies. Both sides have sought to expand the scope of strategic cooperation, including on civilian plus dual-use technologies plus on co-development of next-generation technologies, which will mitigate the effects of the United States’ export-control policies, which remain in place. These steps, taken over the last 18 months, enabled Modi’s state visit in June to set a new plus higher watermark for US–India ties
The joint statement released in June summarised the mechanisms that have been established to promote long-term mutual investments, which included the launch of an interagency Strategic Trade Dialogue plus unprecedented public-private partnerships in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced telecommunications, quantum computing plus civilian space technology. The first meeting of the trade dialogue occurred days after the release of the joint statement.
Under an agreement publicised during the visit, GE Aerospace will supply, via an 80% technology transfer, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited with the F-414 engine to be used in the next variant of India’s light multirole aircraft. The joint statement said that the ‘trailblazing’ agreement ‘will enable greater transfer of US jet engine technology than ever before’. This mirrors the co-production arrangement between the US plus its treaty ally, South Korea, for the same engine.
Several other plans underscore the step-change that has occurred between the US plus India: India will buy 31 General Atomics MQ-9B combat intelligence, surveillance plus reconnaissance drones; the two countries are at work institutionalising additional defence-specific initiatives such as the Defense Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, as well as agreements on ship repairs, space research plus development plus creation of a joint academic plus startup network. As members of the Quad kelompok of countries, which India will lead in 2024, New Delhi plus Washington could seek to better use information-sharing platforms to enhance theirs plus others’ regional maritime domain awareness.