New York: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met with top US tech companies, motivating them to consider India as an important destination for manufacturing and innovation.
The meeting followed Modi’s attendance at the Quad summit with leaders from the US, Australia, and Japan. Modi seeks out opportunities for co-development, co-design, and co-production in India as a substitute to China for global firms diversifying their supply chains.
The meeting incorporates CEOs from major corporations such as Google, Adobe, IBM, and NVIDIA, showcasing India’s potential in technology and innovation.
The roundtable discussion empowers the transformative power of technology on the global economy and human development. Modi attended a rally of Indian-Americans, referring to them as “brand ambassadors” of India, and underscoring the country’s role in global development, peace, and climate action.
Addressing the tech CEOs’ roundtable in New York.https://t.co/dMqsJpP1DE
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2024
On the sidelines of the Quad summit, Modi conducted a meeting with US President Joe Biden, where they signed several MOUs, including a significant semiconductor pact. This “watershed arrangement” aims to develop a fabrication plant in India to produce chips for national security, next-generation telecommunications, and green energy applications.
This initiative represents a crucial step in India’s efforts to build a homegrown semiconductor industry, particularly as the US seeks to develop resilience against China’s dominance in the sector.
There are several attempts in which semiconductor manufacturing in India has faced challenges, and the renewed partnership offers hope for significant advancements. The plant will concentrate on essential areas for modern warfare, including advanced sensing and communications.
However, the leaders did not address ongoing tensions related to Sikh separatist leaders in the US and Canada, who have alleged threats from groups backed by India, which India denies.
This trip marks Modi’s first visit to the US since securing a third term in June and comes in the lead-up to the US presidential elections. Despite former President Donald Trump’s recent comments praising Modi, no meeting is scheduled between the two.
The Quad leaders, in their joint communiqué, emphasised maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, articulating strong opposition to any destabilizing actions that threaten the status quo. Analysts noted that the statement’s language, while not directly naming China, was noticeably more robust, reflecting increasing concerns over Chinese activities in the South China Sea.
The Quad also announced initiatives for expanded maritime surveillance, a pilot logistics network for disaster response, and a project to combat cervical cancer, signaling a commitment to regional stability and cooperation.
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