India, US Look To Deepen AI, Semiconductor & Space Partnerships

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump have announced the launch of the US-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology) initiative to boost collaboration in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, quantum computing and spacetech. 

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the two nations will foster cooperation via government-to-government initiatives as well as academia and private sector tie-ups. 

During the meeting, both leaders have agreed that private sector players from both nations should put forward the roadmap of boosting AI infrastructure. The bilateral partnership will look to identify challenges in financing, building, powering, and deploying “large-scale US-origin AI infrastructure” in India. 

“The US and India will work together to enable industry partnerships and investments in next generation data centres, cooperation on development and access to compute and processors for AI, for innovations in AI models and building AI applications for solving societal challenges while addressing the protections and controls necessary to protect these technologies and reduce regulatory barriers,” said an MEA statement. 

Under the TRUST initiative, both PM Modi and Trump also committed to build trusted and resilient supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals, and other advanced materials. The two nations will also accelerate collaboration to promote investments and research and development (R&D) across the entire critical mineral value chain.

Meanwhile, on the space tech front, the two leaders also announced the launch of INDUS Innovation to foster academic partnerships and investments in space, energy, and other emerging technologies. 

“The leaders committed to further commercial space collaboration through industry engagements in conventional and emerging areas, such as connectivity, advanced spaceflight, satellite and space launch systems, space sustainability, space tourism and advanced space manufacturing,” added MEA.

This comes as PM Modi wrapped up his high-profile trip to the US. On his visit, PM Modi also met Tesla CEO Elon Musk and the two held discussions on space, mobility, technology and innovation. 

PM Modi also held talks with the US’ director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, which focused on enhancing intelligence cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity and emerging threats.