The US and India must take this step, in accordance with the US president, to construct a democratic expertise surroundings that upholds democratic establishments and beliefs, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre advised reporters. Consequently, Washington views this as a really vital challenge and a cooperation with India, she added.

The “Next Big Thing” in India-US ties, iCET, was launched on January 31 on the White House by US nationwide safety advisers Jake Sullivan and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval.

After their assembly in Tokyo, Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced in May 2022 that they might elevate and increase their strategic expertise partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the 2 international locations’ governments, companies, and educational establishments. This announcement led to the creation of iCET.

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“We made our bulletins yesterday in defensive innovation, semiconductor area, 5G and STEM expertise. We sit up for constructing on this momentum within the upcoming months and years. So once more, an vital partnership, an initiative between the 2 mates who’re two international locations,” Jean-Pierre stated.

When requested if this endeavour was directed in direction of China, the press secretary responded that it was not particular to anyone nation.

The geopolitical context can’t be ignored, in accordance with her, however the challenge completely focuses on one nation, not any others. it is about one thing a lot greater than that—a bond between two nations which have, he stated.

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It is within the curiosity of India and the US to strengthen the cooperation and ship for his or her individuals, as two of the world’s prime economies and democracies, Jean-Pierre stated.

Vedant Patel, the deputy press secretary for the State Department, stated at a separate press convention that the US-India initiative on essential and rising applied sciences would advance and broaden the strategic expertise partnership and defence industrial collaboration.

“The two sides mentioned alternatives for better cooperation in essential and rising applied sciences, co-development and co-production, and methods to deepen connectivity throughout our innovation ecosystems,” he said.

(With PTI inputs)