The US-India INDUS-X initiative, marking its first anniversary, signifies a landmark in bilateral collaboration for defence innovation. Introduced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Washington, DC, INDUS-X has swiftly advanced mutual commitments through the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
“In its inaugural year, INDUS-X has strengthened the commitment of both nations to establish a defence innovation bridge under the iCET initiative,” stated a release from the US Department of Defence.
Since its launch, INDUS-X has fostered robust collaboration within the private sectors of both the United States and India, facilitating transformative partnerships among defence technology firms, investors, and researchers. This initiative has not only enhanced technological exchanges but has also laid the groundwork for strategic alliances critical to the defence capabilities of both countries.
“INDUS-X has enhanced private sector cooperation between the United States and India by promoting partnerships among defence technology companies, investors, and researchers,” the release emphasized.
Underlining its growing importance, the White House recently announced the upcoming third INDUS-X Summit, scheduled to convene in Silicon Valley in September 2024.
Co-hosted by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Stanford University, the summit will focus on harnessing private capital to drive forward defence innovation.
The India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) was inaugurated during an event in Washington, DC, USA, on June 21, 2023. Co-organized by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Ministry of Defence, and the US Department of Defence (DoD), the INDUS X event was hosted by the US-India Business Council (USIBC).
Anurag Bajpai, Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Promotion) at the Ministry of Defence, led the Indian delegation at the two-day INDUS-X event. A reception was held on June 20, 2023, for Indian and US government representatives, defence start-ups, think tanks, incubators, investors, industries, and other stakeholders.
The event featured a unique joint exhibition of innovative technologies by Indian and US start-ups, with 15 Indian and 10 US start-ups showcasing their advancements across various domains such as maritime, AI, autonomous systems, and space, as highlighted in an earlier release by the Ministry of Defence.
