India, USA iCET to broaden scope to include biotech, critical minerals & rare earth
India and the USA on Monday held a comprehensive review of India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) at the level of Deputy National Security Advisers and agreed to broaden the scope of iCET to biotechnology, critical minerals and rare earths processing technologies, digital connectivity and digital public infrastructure, and advanced materials.
Jonathan Finer, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser of the United States on Monday held consultations with Vikram Misri, Deputy National Security Adviser. This is a follow up to the visit of US NSA Jake Sullivan to India in June 2023 and the visit of NSA Ajit Doval to US in January 2023.
The two Deputy NSAs have agreed to broaden the scope of iCET to biotechnology, critical minerals and rare earths processing technologies, digital connectivity and digital public infrastructure, and advanced materials, officials said, adding, they also affirmed the importance of easing regulations to facilitate high-tech collaborations, and transfer of technology.
During the consultations, the two Deputy NSAs reviewed key bilateral issues and exchanged views on regional and global developments, officials said.
The talks were held in the backdrop of US indictment of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian citizen accused by Washington of plotting to assassinate a Khalistan separatist on its soil.
The two Deputy NSAs undertook the first comprehensive mid-term review of the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) after the first meeting led by the respective NSAs in January 2023 in Washington D.C. In May 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden launched iCET to facilitate outcome-oriented cooperation in new and emerging technologies.
