3rd Edition of India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)

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02 Sep 3rd Edition of India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)

Posted at 02 Sep 2024 in Current Affairs by
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Syllabus mapping:

GS-2 -International relations: 3rd Edition of India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)

FOR PRELIMS: 

Which of the following best describes the primary objectives and key features of the 3rd Edition of the India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)?

 FOR MAINS: 

Discuss the significance and key features of the 3rd Edition of the India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X). How does this edition build upon previous iterations, and what are its expected impacts on defense technology collaboration between India and the United States?

RECENT CONTEXT:

The United States come together to discuss new ideas and technologies in the defence sector. The third edition of this summit is set to take place on September 9-10, 2024, at Stanford University in California.INDUS-X was launched in June 2023 to expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the Indian and the US governments, businesses, accelerators/incubators, investors, and academia. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Defence Innovation Unit (DIU), and the Office of the Secretary of Defence (OSD) lead INDUS-X for the Indian Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence (DoD).

What are the Key Highlights of the Second INDUS-X Summit?

Focus on Indo-Pacific Security:

  • The summit emphasised the critical role India and the US play as key partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
    Discussions centred on co-producing advanced military capabilities, strengthening defence supply chains, and enhancing interoperability to address shared security challenges.

Promoting Innovation and Collaboration:

  • Emphasis was placed on fostering innovation in defence technologies through collaborative efforts between Indian and American industries.
    The summit provided a platform for startups and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the defence sector to engage with established players, facilitating knowledge exchange and partnerships.

Defence Partnership Between India and the United States:

  • The summit highlighted the strong defence partnership between India and the US, citing initiatives like Initiatives on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) aimed at fostering innovation across key sectors, including defence.

Emphasis on Technological Innovation:

  • The Summit emphasised the crucial role of technological innovation in defence within the broader context of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership, fostering collective progress for defence industries across borders.

Joint IMPACT Challenges:

  • The Summit highlighted the introduction of Joint IMPACT Challenges, aiming to advance defence and aerospace co-development and co-production collaboratively, involving startups in pioneering solutions.

About U.S.-India Defense Accelerator Ecosystem (INDUS-X)

  1. It was launched in June 2023 during the state visit of the Prime Minister of India to the US.
  2. To expand strategic technology partnerships and defence industrial cooperation between governments, businesses, and academic institutions in India and the US.
  3. INDUS X will be a defence innovation bridge, which will inter-alia, include Joint Challenges, Joint Innovation Fund, Academia engagement, Industry-startup connect, investment by private entities in defence projects, mentoring by experts and niche technology projects, etc.
  4. The initiative aims to explore possibilities for co-producing jet engines, long-range artillery, and infantry vehicles.
  5. India’s Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), US, are leading INDUS-X activities.

Key Aspects of the 3rd Edition of INDUS-X

Objective and Purpose:

  • The 3rd Edition of INDUS-X aims to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced defense technologies. It focuses on fostering collaboration between startups, innovators, and defense organizations from both India and the U.S., promoting joint ventures and technology transfer.

Focus Areas:

  • This edition continues to emphasize emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, unmanned systems (drones), and advanced manufacturing. These areas are critical for modernizing defense capabilities and addressing contemporary security challenges.

Key Features:

Innovation Challenges and Competitions: 

  •  The program often includes challenges and competitions designed to encourage startups and innovators to develop cutting-edge solutions. These challenges can cover specific technology areas or problem sets relevant to both nations’ defense needs.

Partnerships and Collaborations:

  •  The 3rd Edition is expected to feature new partnerships and collaborations, enhancing ties between defense companies, research institutions, and government agencies. This could include memorandums of understanding (MOUs) or joint research initiatives.

Showcase and Networking Events:

  •  The event may include showcases where participants present their technologies and solutions, as well as networking opportunities for stakeholders from both countries to discuss potential collaborations and investments.

Expected Impacts:

Technological Advancement:

  •  By promoting collaboration and innovation, INDUS-X is expected to lead to the rapid development and deployment of advanced defense technologies. This can result in enhanced defense capabilities and technological superiority for both India and the U.S.

Strategic Partnerships:

  •  Strengthening the strategic defense relationship between India and the U.S. is a key outcome, contributing to broader geopolitical stability and security.

What is Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX)?

  1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India, launched in 2018.
  2. The objective of the scheme is to cultivate an innovation ecosystem in the Defence and Aerospace sector by collaborating with startups, innovators, MSMEs, incubators, and academia.
  3. iDEX offers grants and support for R&D with significant potential for future adoption in Indian defence and aerospace.
  4. It is currently engaged with around 400+ Startups and MSMEs.
  5. It is recognized as a game-changer in the defence ecosystem, iDEX has received the PM Award for Innovation in the defence sector.
  6. iDEX will function as the executive arm of DIO, carrying out all the required activities, while DIO will provide high level policy guidance to iDEX.

What are the Key Developments in India-US Defence Cooperation?

Framework and Partnership Renewal:

  1. The foundation of India-US defence cooperation lies in the “New Framework for India-US Defence Cooperation,” renewed for a decade in 2015.
  2. In 2016, the partnership was upgraded to a Major Defence Partnership (MDP).
  3. India’s elevation to Tier-1 status under the US Department of Commerce’s Strategic Trade Authorization license exception occurred on July 2018.

Institutionalised Dialogue Mechanisms:

  1. The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, involving the Ministers of External Affairs and Defence from both nations along with their US counterparts, serves as the apex platform for addressing political, military, and strategic issues.
  2. The 5th Edition of the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue took place, Novemebr 2023 in New Delhi.

Defence Policy Group (DPG):

  1. The DPG, led by the Defence Secretary and Under Secretary of Defence (Policy), facilitates a comprehensive review of defence dialogues and mechanisms.
  2. The 17th DPG convened in Washington D.C. in May 2023.

Defence Procurements and Platforms:

  1. Defence procurements from the US are on the rise, amounting to nearly US$20 billion.
  2. Key US-origin platforms in use by India include Apache, Chinook, MH60R helicopters, and P8I aircraft.
  3. Recently, the US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale of 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian to India.

Important Defence Agreements:

  1. Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (2016), Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (2018), Industrial Security Agreement (2019), Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (2020), and Memorandum of Intent for Defence Innovation Cooperation (2018).

Military-to-Military Exchanges:

  1. High-level visits, exercises, training courses, and service-specific bilateral mechanisms facilitate military-to-military exchanges.
  2. India participates in a growing number of military exercises with the US, including Yudh Abhyas, Vajra Prahar, Malabar, Cope India, and Tiger Triumph, among others.
  3. Participation in multilateral exercises like Red Flag, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), CUTLASS Express, Sea Dragon, and Milan further strengthens cooperation.
  4. INS Satpura marked the first Indian naval ship to visit the US mainland as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in August 2022.
  5. India joined the multilateral Combined Maritime Force (CMF) as an Associate Partner in April 2022, based in Bahrain.

                                     

CONCLUSION:

In summary, the 3rd Edition of INDUS-X represents a significant evolution in defence collaboration between India and the U.S., reflecting a deepened commitment to innovation and strategic partnership. Its focus on advanced technologies, expanded collaboration, and tangible economic impacts positions it as a key driver of future defence advancements and bilateral relations.

 

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PRELIMS QUESTION:

Q. Recently, the USA decided to support India’s membership in multi-lateral export control regimes called the “Australia Group” and the “Wassenaar Arrangement”. What is the difference between them? (2011)

1. The Australia Group is an informal arrangement which aims to allow exporting countries to minimize the risk of assisting chemical and biological weapons proliferation, whereas the Wassenaar Arrangement is a formal group under the OECD holding identical objectives.

2. The Australia Group comprises predominantly of Asian, African and North American countries whereas the member countries of Wassenaar Arrangement are predominantly from the European Union and American Continents.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (d)

MAINS QUESTION:

Q.What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem and ambitions’. Explain with suitable examples.(2019)

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