India and US Launch TRUST Initiative to Boost Collaboration in AI, Semiconductors, and Space Technology

India, US To Collaborate On AI, Semiconductors & Space

The two leaders also announced the launch of INDUS Innovation to foster academic partnerships and investments in space and other emerging technologies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump have announced the launch of the US-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology) initiative to boost collaboration in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, quantum computing and spacetech. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the two nations will foster cooperation via government-to-government initiatives as well as academia and private sector tie-ups. During the meeting, both leaders have agreed that private sector players from both nations should put forward the roadmap of boosting AI infrastructure. The bilateral partnership will look to identify challenges in financing, building, powering, and deploying "large-scale US-origin AI infrastructure" in India. "The US and India will work together to enable industry partnerships and investments in next generation data centres, cooperation on development and access to compute and processors for AI, for innovations in AI models and building AI applications for solving societal challenges while addressing the protections and controls necessary to protect these technologies and reduce regulatory barriers," said an MEA statement. Under the TRUST initiative, both PM Modi and Trump also committed to build trusted and resilient supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals, and other advanced materials. The two nations will also accelerate collaboration to promote investments and research and development (R&D) across the entire critical mineral value chain. Meanwhile, on the space tech front, the two leaders also announced the launch of INDUS Innovation to foster academic partnerships and investments in space, energy, and other emerging technologies. "The leaders committed to further commercial space collaboration through industry engagements in conventional and emerging areas, such as connectivity, advanced spaceflight, satellite and space launch systems, space sustainability, space tourism and advanced space manufacturing," added MEA. This comes as PM Modi wrapped up his high-profile trip to the US. On his visit, PM Modi also met Tesla CEO Elon Musk and the two held discussions on space, mobility, technology and innovation. PM Modi also held talks with the US' director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, which focused on enhancing intelligence cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity and emerging threats.

Modi-Trump talks: AI, hi-tech, semiconductors in focus as India, US pledge to boost tech ties

India and the US launched the TRUST initiative to boost collaboration in AI, semiconductors, and space. Key announcements include AI infrastructure acceleration, INDUS Innovation, resilient supply chains, and deepened space and scientific research partnerships.Artificial Intelligence, innovation and next-generation technologies figured prominently during the high-stakes discussion between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the White House, as the two sides announced transformative measures, including the US-India TRUST initiative, roadmap on accelerating AI infrastructure and INDUS Innovation, to boost tech ties. Artificial intelligence, semiconductors, data centres, and quantum - the essential building blocks shaping an intelligent, new-age world - were in focus as the two leaders held bilateral talks at Washington, DC. India and the US pledged to enhance collaboration in areas of critical and emerging technologies and announced the launch of the US-India Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology (TRUST) initiative. According to India-US joint statement, the TRUST initiative aims to catalyse government-to-government, academia and private-sector collaboration to promote the application of critical and emerging technologies in areas like defence, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum, biotechnology, energy and space, while encouraging the use of verified technology vendors and ensuring sensitive technologies are protected. As a central pillar of the 'TRUST' initiative, the leaders committed to work with US and Indian private industry to put forward a US-India roadmap on accelerating AI infrastructure by the end of the year, identifying constraints to financing, building, powering, and connecting large-scale American-origin AI infrastructure in India with milestones and future actions. The US and India will work together to enable industry partnerships and investments in next-generation data centres, cooperation on development and access to compute and processors for AI, innovations in AI models and building AI applications for solving societal challenges while addressing the protections and controls necessary to protect these technologies and reduce regulatory barriers, the joint statement said. The leaders also announced the launch of INDUS Innovation, a new innovation bridge modelled after the successful INDUS-X platform, that will advance US-India industry and academic partnerships and foster investments in space, energy, and other emerging technologies to maintain leadership for both sides in innovation and to meet the needs of the 21st century. The leaders also reinforced their commitment to the INDUS-X initiative, which facilitates partnerships between the US and Indian defense companies, investors and universities to produce critical capability for our militaries, and welcomed the next summit in 2025. As part of the TRUST initiative, India and the US committed to build trusted and resilient supply chains, including for semiconductors, critical minerals, advanced materials and pharmaceuticals. The leaders hailed 2025 as a pioneering year for US-India civil space cooperation, with plans for a NASA-ISRO effort through AXIOM to bring the first Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS), and early launch of the joint 'NISAR' mission, the first of its kind to systematically map changes to the Earth's surface using dual radars. They also called for enhanced collaboration in space exploration, including long-duration human spaceflight missions, spaceflight safety and sharing of expertise and professional exchanges in emerging areas, including planetary protection. The two leaders committed to further commercial space collaboration through industry engagements in conventional and emerging areas, such as connectivity, advanced spaceflight, satellite and space launch systems, space sustainability, space tourism and advanced space manufacturing. Underscoring the value of deepening ties between the US and Indian scientific research communities, the two sides announced a new partnership between the US National Science Foundation and the Indian Anusandhan National Research Foundation in researching critical and emerging technologies. The partnership builds on ongoing collaboration between the US National Science Foundation and several Indian science agencies to enable joint research in the areas of semiconductors, connected vehicles, machine learning, next-generation telecommunications, intelligent transportation systems, and future biomanufacturing, the statement informed. The leaders determined that their governments will redouble efforts to address export controls, enhance high-technology commerce, and reduce barriers to technology transfer between our two countries while addressing technology security. They also resolved to work together to counter the common challenge of unfair practices in export controls by third parties seeking to exploit the overconcentration of critical supply chains. Ashok Chandak, President of IESA (India Electronics and Semiconductor Association) said the recent India-US bilateral engagement, following Prime Minister Modi's visit and meeting with President Trump, reaffirmed a shared vision of the relationship as pivotal to global stability and prosperity. "This partnership has grown into one of the most significant in the 21st century, addressing strategic, economic, and technological priorities," he said. This partnership will drive India's ambitions in becoming a global leader in design-led manufacturing, particularly in the semiconductor and electronics sectors, positioning the country as a key player in global supply chains, he further said.

Modi & Trump's 'TRUST' deal: A tech-driven bond beyond tariffs

Narendra Modi and Donald Trump have signed the TRUST initiative to strengthen US-India relations in strategic technologies. This focuses on AI, semiconductors, defense, space, and biotech, which will boost India's manufacturing and tech capabilities and enhance US supply chain resilience. The partnership promises mutual benefits and economic advantages through increased tech-sharing and innovation.While tariff talk is still in the air, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump deepening engagement between their two countries by signing the TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology) initiative is the real bilateral headline news. This is welcome news and deft diplomacy within weeks of Trump assuming office. The areas covered - AI, semiconductors, defence, space and biotech - will propel India as a complementary force to US tech dominance. India needs access to tech and must build manufacturing capability in strategic industries. The US, on its part, needs supply chain resilience. Take AI. The tech is being advanced in Silicon Valley with contributions from Indian software engineers, who will also aid its dispersal. India must scale up hardware capacity to contribute more at both ends of the tech's development and deployment. US defence production has incorporated Indian vendors, and the process can be sped up with access to more US tech. This benefits India's indigenous defence production effort. As a big buyer of US weapons platforms, growth of local vendors helps both the US and India lower costs. Commercial exploitation of space, too, will benefit from a bigger role for Indian firms as tech costs are being driven down. From the US perspective, India is an alternative to China in biotech. Emergence of an Indian ecosystem in each of these areas should lower innovation costs - vital for the US to maintain its tech lead over China. Washington's signal to US companies about its comfort with New Delhi should accelerate tech-driven outsourcing. India has a long way to go before it catches up with the world's biggest defence spenders, and the US will want to be there for most of that journey. Strategically splitting production of armaments is economical. Greater access to core and allied tech is needed to nurture ties. It speaks of Trump's priorities that the India-US tech-sharing agreement is being unveiled when the US threatens the rest of the world with reciprocal tariffs.

India, US call for more collaboration in space exploration; launch new innovation bridge

Prime Minister Modi and President Trump have hailed 2025 as a landmark year for US-India civil space cooperation. They discussed enhancing collaboration in space exploration, including human spaceflight and technology sharing. They also announced initiatives such as the launch of Indian astronaut to ISS and the US-India TRUST initiative to foster critical technology applications.Calling for ramping up collaboration in space exploration, including on long-duration human spaceflight missions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump hailed 2025 as a "pioneering year for US-India civil space cooperation." The two leaders, who also launched INDUS Innovation bridge, held wide-ranging talks on Thursday (Friday IST) focussing on broadening the bilateral partnership, including in the fields of defence, energy, space and critical technology. Modi and Trump called for "more collaboration in space exploration, including on long-duration human spaceflight missions, spaceflight safety and sharing of expertise and professional exchanges in emerging areas, including planetary protection," according to a joint statement issued after the discussions. "The leaders committed to further commercial space collaboration through industry engagements in conventional and emerging areas, such as connectivity, advanced spaceflight, satellite and space launch systems, space sustainability, space tourism and advanced space manufacturing," it said. The Prime Minister's visit to the US from February 12-13 came nearly three weeks after the January 20 inauguration of Trump. In the joint statement, the leaders "hailed 2025 as a pioneering year for US-India civil space cooperation," with plans for a NASA-ISRO effort through AXIOM to bring the first Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS). It also mentioned an early launch of the joint 'NISAR' mission, the first-of-its-kind to systematically map changes to the Earth's surface using dual radars. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar or 'NISAR' will be used by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for a variety of purposes including agricultural mapping, and landslide-prone areas. The leaders also 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. The statement also said that the TRUST will encourage the use of verified technology vendors and ensure that the sensitive technologies are protected. As a central pillar of the 'TRUST' initiative, the leaders "committed to work with US and Indian private industry to put forward a 'US-India Roadmap on Accelerating AI Infrastructure' by the end of the year," it said. The roadmap will identify constraints to financing, building, powering, and connecting large-scale US-origin AI infrastructure in India with milestones and future actions, it said. At a media briefing here on Thursday (Friday IST), Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the two leaders launched a new, innovation bridge modelled after the successful INDUS-X platform for defence applications. INDUS Innovation is meant to focus on space, energy and other emerging technologies to maintain US and India leadership in innovation and to meet the needs of the 21st century, the joint statement added. The leaders also reinforced their commitment to the INDUS-X initiative, which facilitates partnerships between US and Indian defence companies, investors and universities to produce critical capability for our militaries, and welcomed the next summit in 2025.

India-U.S. Strategic Partnership: Key Outcomes and Long-Term Impact of the Modi-Trump Meeting

By Ashok Chandak The recent India-U.S. bilateral engagement, following Prime Minister Modi's visit and meeting with President Trump, reaffirmed a shared vision of the relationship as pivotal to global stability and prosperity. This partnership has grown into one of the most significant in the 21st century, addressing strategic, economic, and technological priorities. Key Long-Term Impacts of the Modi-Trump Meeting Strengthened Bilateral Relations in Technology and Energy Strategic Convergence on China Expansion of Trade and Investment Opportunities Despite ongoing challenges, such as tariffs and protectionist policies, the leaders set an ambitious goal of achieving $500 billion in bilateral trade, with a focus on high-growth sectors like semiconductors, electronics, and critical technologies. Boost to Emerging Technologies and Innovation Building on the iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies) framework, the partnership will promote the application of cutting-edge technologies in areas such as: Defense and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Semiconductors and Quantum Computing Biotechnology, Energy, and Space Exploration The launch of the INDUS Innovation Bridge, modeled after the successful INDUS-X platform, will foster deeper U.S.-India partnerships in academia and industry. This initiative aims to spur investments in space, energy, and emerging technologies, helping both nations maintain leadership in innovation to meet 21st-century needs. AI as a Pillar of U.S.-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) The TRUST initiative highlights the potential for large-scale U.S.-origin AI infrastructure deployment in India, addressing export control concerns and enabling access to cutting-edge technology. This would also open doors for Indian companies to contribute to global AI ecosystems. Collaboration on Critical Minerals and Energy The meeting underscored the importance of research, development, and investments across the critical mineral value chain to meet the demands of emerging industries such as Semiconductors. Additionally, U.S.-India collaboration on energy affordability, reliability, and sustainability will help India expand its solar energy markets, though tariff-related concerns remain a critical issue to address. Enhancement of India's Defense Capabilities Major decisions were made to strengthen India's defense infrastructure, including technology transfers and collaboration in advanced weapon systems, enhancing India's strategic autonomy. Sectoral Impact Semiconductors and Electronics Exports: This partnership will drive India's ambitions in becoming a global leader in design-led manufacturing, particularly in the semiconductor and electronics sectors, positioning the country as a key player in global supply chains. Supply chain resilience, Semiconductors ( after India manufacturing ramp up ) and Electronics Exports from India should get a major filip in future. With a shared commitment to innovation, economic growth, and global security, the India-U.S. partnership is poised to deliver transformative outcomes across industries including Semiconductors and technology sector. This meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump not only strengthened bilateral ties but also established a foundation for addressing global challenges through collaborative leadership. (The author is Ashok Chandak, President of IESA, and the views expressed in this article are his own)