Monitoring Desk
WASHINGTON: The White House is launching a collaboration with India that US President Joe Biden hopes will help the two countries to compete against China on military equipment, artificial intelligence (AI), and semiconductors.
Washington wants to install more Western mobile phone networks in the Asian subcontinent to counter Huawei Technologies of China, welcome more Indian computer chip specialists to the US, and encourage companies from both countries to partner on military equipment like artillery systems.
The White House faces an uphill challenge on each front, including US restrictions on the transfer of military technology and visas for immigrant workers, along with India’s longstanding dependence on Russia for military hardware.
National security adviser of Biden, Jake Sullivan, and Indian national security adviser, Ajit Doval, are meeting with senior officials from both sides at the White House in Washington to launch the US-India Initiative on Emerging and Critical Technologies.
US frustrated of India over defence ties with Russia
India has frustrated the US by participating in military exercises with Russia. The US is also frustrated with India over New Delhi’s increasing purchases of Russian crude oil, a key funding source for the Russian war in Ukraine. However, Washington is silent, nudging the country on Russia while condoning New Delhi’s more hawkish stance on China.
On Monday, Doval and Sullivan participated in a Chamber of Commerce meeting with corporate leaders from Applied Materials Inc, Lockheed Martin Corp, and Adani Enterprises.
Meanwhile, according to the White House, General Electric Co is asking the US government for permission to manufacture jet engines with India that would power airplanes operated and produced by India. White House said a review is underway.
