US-India Workshop Explores Opportunities In Emerging Tech, Digital Infra Ahead Of PM’s US Visit

A workshop organised by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum on Monday in New Delhi brought together government leaders, industry experts, and prominent stakeholders to discuss and explore opportunities in critical and emerging technologies.

The workshop, held under the ICT, Emerging Technologies & Digital Infrastructure Working Group of the India-US CEO Forum, aimed to enhance collaboration and promote economic growth through digital trade and trusted partnerships between the two countries.

The workshop witnessed the participation of notable figures from Indian companies including Tata Consultancy Services, Larsen & Toubro, Mahindra and Mahindra, Infosys, and Reliance Industries. The US side was represented by companies such as Hewlett Packard Enterprises, Deloitte, FedEx Corporation, Deere & Company, and Mastercard, among others. These diverse stakeholders came together to share insights and recommendations that hold immense potential in shaping the future of technology and fostering greater cooperation between the two nations.

During the inaugural session, a report entitled "The Future of the India-US Strategic ICT Relationship" was launched. The report underscored the importance of recognising digital trade as a central pillar of partnership, leveraging initiatives like iCET to strengthen critical industry supply chains, and developing digital infrastructure for inclusive growth and universal connectivity.

The workshop featured three panel discussions on key priority areas. The first panel centred on the evolution of 5G and Open Radio Access Network (ORAN), emphasising the role of openness, standards, and interoperability in shaping next-generation networks. The second panel delved into the future of artificial intelligence (AI), exploring its rapid evolution, emerging use cases, and responsible innovation. The third discussion focused on creating a future-ready digitally skilled workforce, highlighting the importance of reskilling, upskilling, and public-private partnerships to bridge the skilling gap.

Strengthening the strategic technology partnership emerged as a key priority for India and the United States, particularly through the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

The high-level iCET dialogue held in January identified key areas of cooperation, including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, defense, innovation, space, advanced telecom and semiconductors. The officials involved emphasized the potential for mutually complementary partnerships and the need to address regulatory issues to facilitate deep-tech cooperation between the two countries.

Rudra Chaudhuri, Director of Carnegie India, highlighted the importance of discussions on adopting ORAN, considering cost factors, and understanding the stack architecture. He emphasised that such discussions should be a crucial part of iCET negotiations on both sides. Chaudhuri stated that if India and the United States collaborate to build ORAN, it could offer a solution not only for India but also for the rest of the world.