INVC NEWS
Washington – : According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, India’s focus on reducing strategic interdependence is an important aspect of the growing cooperation between the United States and India, particularly in key technologies such as semiconductors and defense. Blinken mentioned that the goal of this cooperation is to diversify and strengthen supply chains by partnering with trusted countries and decreasing strategic dependence.
The recent collaboration between India and the US on critical technologies has gained momentum since discussions began between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in 2022, further supported by the meeting between National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan earlier this year.
Blinken also highlighted potential cooperation in the fields of semiconductors and solar energy equipment, which could help India reduce its reliance on China for these technologies. He mentioned an upcoming US investment in a solar manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu as an example. While Blinken did not explicitly state that the US has expectations from India regarding reducing strategic dependence, there may be implications related to India’s dependence on Russian oil. India has been importing oil from Russia at heavily subsidized rates for domestic use and exports, disregarding US sanctions.
The External Affairs Minister expressed optimism about the bilateral relationship, and it is noteworthy that a state dinner will be hosted for an Indian Prime Minister after almost 14 years. This will be the first time for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the last Indian Prime Minister to receive a state dinner being Manmohan Singh in 2009.
