Recognizing New Delhi as the critical defense partner of the United States, senior officials in the US and India are meeting up to strengthen the collateral ties between the nations.                

On account of the US Commerce Secretary, Gina Raimondo’s visit to India to participate in the US-India Commercial Dialogue and US-India CEO Forum, a high-profile bilateral engagement is likely to be added to the proposal. Restarting the US-India Commercial Dialogue alongside the Trade Policy Forum indicates various optimistic signs of increasing bilateral trade, valued at an average rate of 157 billion USD.

The commercial ties between India and the US have strengthened critically in the past decades in every possible arena. Meanwhile, Mrs. Raimondo’s visit to India in the current period aims at opening new avenues and consolidating trade and investment opportunities per the soaring focus on supply chain recovery in the post-pandemic world.

Earlier this year, Secretary Blinken visited New Delhi, initiating engagements with G20 Foreign Minister meetings and Quad Foreign Minister meetings over the shared commitment to a peaceful and open Indo-Pacific region. Similarly, Secretary Yellen met with G20 Financial Chiefs accordingly, underscoring the key role of both nations in tackling pressing challenges like climate finance via public-private partnerships and deepening the framework for digital transactions. It holds an induced significance in the diplomatic relations between both nations, where India is all set to build a tech economy.

The trade dialogue is an initiative per the Trade Policy Forum (TPF), where the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, met with the US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, to discuss the established joint efforts through the TPF and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). As a result, the trade value will expand from 160 billion USD to a trillion USD over a decade. Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, visited Washington, DC earlier in 2023 to meet with his counterpart, Jake Sullivan, to discuss the first high-level dialogue on the initiative for critical and emerging technologies (iCET).

The iCET encompasses nearly six integrated sectors—scientific research and development, quantum and artificial intelligence (AI), defense innovation, space, and advanced telecoms like 6G and semiconductors—from both New Delhi and Washington. It promotes a seminal moment for tech organizations to elevate their focus on semiconductor and critical technology manufacturing. iCET is undoubtedly a critical phase to strengthen defense partnerships via sharing core technologies, especially with the recognition of New Delhi as a primary defense partner by Washington.