India-US Strategic Tech Ties Move 'From Principles to Projects': MEA

The private sector will be indispensable in transforming India-US cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, quantum technologies, and critical minerals into real-world outcomes, a senior Indian official said as the two countries expand collaboration in strategic technologies.

Speaking at the roundtable "Securing the Foundations of AI Together: US–India Cooperation from Minerals to Microchips," Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary K Nagaraj Naidu said India and the US have built a comprehensive strategic partnership that is now moving " from principles to projects ."

He said governments can establish policy frameworks, but businesses will drive investment, innovation, manufacturing, and commercial deployment , making industry central to building resilient technology ecosystems and secure supply chains.

The event, organised by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) with the Embassy of India and Silverado Policy Accelerator, focused on strengthening cooperation across emerging technologies.

MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan said India is emerging as a trusted global electronics and semiconductor hub , with semiconductor fabrication becoming a reality under the Semiconductor Mission . He added that India's skilled workforce, digital public infrastructure, and AI capabilities position it to develop solutions for global markets.

India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra , said the complementary strengths of the two democraciesfrom chips to neural networks can help build trusted and resilient technology ecosystems.

USISPF President Mukesh Aghi described microchips and critical minerals as the "elixir" of the modern economy, saying governments can create the enabling framework, but industry will ultimately drive execution, innovation, and investment.