Interpreting India

Arun K. Singh on the iCET and India-U.S. Relations

Episode Summary

In this episode of Interpreting India, Arun K. Singh joins Konark Bhandari to discuss the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming state visit to the United States, and the future of India-U.S. tech ties. Is the iCET more than just a deal? What makes the iCET different from earlier initiatives between India and the United States? Does Prime Minister Modi's upcoming state visit to the United States put the iCET under pressure to "deliver" something?

Episode Notes

The iCET was launched on the sidelines of the Quad Summit in Tokyo in May 2022. Both U.S. President Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the launch of this initiative, which was to be spearheaded by the National Security Councils of the two countries to expand partnership in critical and emerging technologies. Is the iCET more than just a deal? What is the case for comparisons between the iCET and the landmark India-U.S. Civilian Nuclear Deal? What makes the iCET different from earlier initiatives between India and the United States? Does Prime Minister Modi's upcoming state visit to the United States put the iCET under pressure to "deliver" something? What is the importance of export control measures in India-U.S. tech ties?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Arun K. Singh joins Konark Bhandari to discuss these questions and more.

Episode Contributors

Arun K. Singh is a nonresident senior fellow at Carnegie India. Mr. Singh has extensive experience across the globe, including as India’s ambassador to the United States, Israel, and France. Throughout his distinguished career in the Indian Foreign Service spanning thirty-seven years, he has served during pivotal periods in key global capitals and was instrumental in shaping India’s policies, notably the continued progress in the U.S.-India relationship, India’s closer ties to Israel, and the formulation and implementation of India’s policies related to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, including in the period following 9/11.

Konark Bhandari is an associate fellow with Carnegie India. Konark is a lawyer who has researched on certain areas in the digital economy, focusing primarily on approaches to antitrust regulation of companies in the digital realm.

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Key Moments:

(0:00); Chapter 1: Introduction

(2:00); Chapter 2: iCET vs. India-U.S. Civilian Nuclear Deal

(10:10); Chapter 3: Private Sector Involvement in the iCET

(14:26); Chapter 4: An AUKUS-like Carve-Out for India?

(17:48); Chapter 5: The Pressure to "Deliver" Under the iCET

(21:25); Chapter 6: Likely Deals and Expectations During PM Modi's Visit

(24:15); Chapter 7: Indian Tech Talent and U.S. Immigration Reforms

(26:47); Chapter 8: Arriving at a Consensus Under the iCET

(29:11); Chapter 9: The Key Factors Making the iCET a Great Bet

(32:17); Outro