India, US to review laws on transfer of military technology

India and the US on Friday agreed to review their laws to allow the transfer of military technology to India and also widen ties in the fields of space, artificial intelligence and semi-conductors.

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The details of the talks between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington DC were shared in a joint statement. On the review of the laws, the statement said, “This will include the International Traffic in Arms Regulations in order to streamline defence trade, technology exchange and maintenance, spare supplies and in-country repair, and overhaul of US-provided defence systems.”

The two sides will also open negotiations this year for a reciprocal defence procurement agreement to better align their procurement systems and enable the reciprocal supply of defence goods and services. India enjoys the US Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 and is a key Quad partner. The US announced a review of its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighters and undersea systems to India, the statement said.

Fifth-generation jet F-35 was showcased at Aero India in Bengaluru. Modi and Trump also announced plans to sign this year a 10-year framework for US-India major defence partnership in the 21st century. The US will expand defence sales and co-production with India. It will include co-production arrangements for “Javelin” anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker infantry combat vehicles in India to meet the country’s requirements. India is also looking at procuring six additional P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Navy. The two countries also announced a new initiative — the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance — to scale industry partnerships and production in the Indo-Pacific countries. The militaries of the two sides will work at enhanced logistics and intelligence sharing, as well as arrangements to improve force mobility for joint humanitarian and disaster-relief operations.

On other technologies, the two sides announced the launch of the US-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology) initiative, which will catalyse government-to-government, academia and private sector collaboration to promote application of critical and emerging technologies in areas such as defence, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum, biotechnology, energy and space, while encouraging the use of verified technology vendors and ensuring that sensitive technologies are protected. The TRUST initiative is aimed at having trusted and resilient supply chains, including in the fields semiconductors, critical minerals, advanced materials and pharmaceuticals.