Partners for Tech

PDNSA Jonathan Finer (left) in conversation on national security and technology with Arun K. Singh, nonresident senior fellow, Carnegie India, at the Global Tech Summit in New Delhi. (Photograph by Charvi Arora)

Carnegie India’s Global Technology Summit 2023, themed “Geopolitics of Technology,” brought together industry experts, policymakers, scientists and other stakeholders worldwide to talk about the evolving nature of technology and geopolitics. The discussions ranged from artificial intelligence to digital public infrastructure and critical and emerging technologies, and provided a glimpse into the strategic direction of the U.S.-India partnership.

During his visit to India in December 2023, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jonathan Finer participated in the Global Technology Summit. Speaking at a session, Finer said that no partnership will be more consequential than that of the United States and India in shaping the future, and the technology and innovation ties between the two countries will be a key element.

The tech handshake

In his keynote address at the summit, Finer explained that the United States and India have taken some significant steps in technology and innovation to secure long-term competitive advantages. For instance, he highlighted the establishment of the semiconductor mission by the Government of India in 2022. Additionally, Finer mentioned that the United States is set to launch the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) in early 2024. The NISAR, a $1.5 billion satellite, will map the entirety of the Earth’s surface once every 12 days, providing essential data on climate-related challenges.

During a conversation about the U.S.-India technology partnership with Arun K. Singh, a nonresident senior fellow at Carnegie India, Finer explained that “both India and the United States have broken down many of the systemic barriers that traditionally existed between the two countries and are about to get to a point where even in the most cutting edge areas of technology, such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and space, we can work together in ways that advance the technology agendas and create new technologies that will broadly benefit the world.”

He added that the two nations have set in motion one of the most significant initiatives in the history of the bilateral partnership—the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). “Since the inauguration of iCET, we have witnessed many breakthrough advances in our technology partnership, and iCET is the engine that is propelling our partnership into the future,” he said.

International economic policy

While answering a question about alternative economic freedom, Finer mentioned alternative economic frameworks like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP), have played a crucial role in advancing the United States’ efforts in various areas of interest. These institutions and policy frameworks address the economic needs and concerns in an affirmative way. He explained that this demonstrates the United States’ alignment with India in advocating for reforms of the multilateral development banks and other international financial institutions, in ways that mutually benefit both countries.

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