‘NASA-ISRO collaboration is a sign of times to come,’ says EAM S Jaishankar
During the SemiconIndia Conference 2023, India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, made a significant statement reaffirming the growing collaboration between India and the United States. He emphasized that this partnership is strengthening and extending to cover new initiatives in various domains.
The statement highlights the increasing synergy and cooperation between the two nations, indicating a deepening relationship that goes beyond the traditional areas of collaboration. With this expansion into new domains, India and the US will likely explore opportunities for joint ventures and initiatives in technology, innovation, trade, security, and more.
Such collaborations can have far-reaching implications, fostering economic growth, knowledge exchange, and technological advancements for both India and the US. Moreover, it signals a willingness to work together on global challenges, reinforcing their commitment to addressing shared concerns on the international stage.
The SemiconIndia Conference, being a prominent platform for discussing advancements in the semiconductor industry, provided a suitable backdrop for highlighting the progress in India-US relations. As both countries continue to explore new avenues of cooperation, this statement by the External Affairs Minister sets a positive tone for the future trajectory of their partnership.
According to a report by ANI, India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, stated that the collaboration between India and the United States is expanding and encompassing new initiatives in various domains. He emphasized that this partnership is expected to grow steadily in the future.
One notable area of collaboration that was highlighted is the space sector. India’s participation in the Artemis Accords is seen as a significant step towards strengthening ties with the US in space exploration and related activities. The Artemis Accords are a set of principles established by NASA, the United States space agency, to govern international cooperation in lunar exploration. By signing the accords, India signals its commitment to work closely with NASA and other international partners in future lunar missions.
Furthermore, the promotion of stronger collaboration between NASA and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is viewed as a key aspect of the growing India-US partnership in space endeavours. Closer cooperation between the two space agencies can lead to joint missions, data sharing, technology transfer, and scientific advancements in space exploration.
This indication of closer cooperation in the space domain reflects the broader trend of deepening ties between India and the US, transcending traditional areas of collaboration. It demonstrates both countries’ commitment to leveraging their respective strengths and resources for mutual benefit and progress.
As the partnership expands into new domains and with India’s active involvement in space exploration through the Artemis Accords and NASA-ISRO collaboration, there is optimism about the potential for even more significant developments in the future. This enhanced cooperation is likely to foster scientific advancements, technological innovation, and strengthened diplomatic ties between India and the US.
During the inaugural session of the ‘SemiconIndia 2023’ event in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to global semiconductor giants, signalling India’s intent to attract investments in the semiconductor industry actively. He stated that India is prepared to “roll out the red carpet” for semiconductor companies, encouraging them to explore investment opportunities in the country.
PM Modi emphasized the potential advantages for early investors, offering a “first mover’s advantage” to those who come forward to invest in India’s semiconductor sector. As the country progresses on its path of reforms, new opportunities are anticipated to emerge, making India an attractive destination for semiconductor investments.
The Prime Minister’s invitation to the semiconductor industry highlights India’s ambition to become a significant player in the global semiconductor market. By positioning itself as an “excellent conductor” for semiconductor investments, India aims to leverage its strategic location, skilled workforce, and growing market demand to attract international semiconductor companies.
The semiconductor industry plays a crucial role in powering technological advancements, and India’s efforts to attract investments in this sector can have far-reaching implications for the country’s economic growth, research and development, and technological innovation.
During his address at the ‘SemiconIndia 2023’ event in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s status as the world’s largest democracy and emphasized that it makes India a trustworthy partner for global collaboration. He expressed satisfaction over the increasing global confidence in India’s capabilities and potential.
The theme of the conference, “Catalysing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem,” underscores the country’s ambitious goal of becoming a global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing, and technology development. Organized by the India Semiconductor Mission in partnership with industry and industry associations, the event aims to foster an environment conducive to the growth and advancement of the semiconductor industry in India.
India’s vision to establish itself as a prominent player in the semiconductor market is aligned with the country’s broader efforts to drive economic growth and technological innovation. By inviting global semiconductor companies to invest in India and positioning itself as a trusted partner, the nation seeks to leverage its strengths to attract investments and collaborations in the semiconductor sector.
The semiconductor industry plays a crucial role in powering various sectors, including electronics, telecommunications, healthcare, automotive, and more. By fostering a robust semiconductor ecosystem, India aims to enhance its self-reliance and contribute significantly to the global supply chain of semiconductor products and technologies.During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent state visit to the United States, there was a major development in India’s semiconductor sector.
Micron Technology, a prominent semiconductor company, announced its intention to invest up to USD 825 million in establishing a new semiconductor assembly and test facility in India. The investment comes with the support and backing of the Indian government.
This significant announcement reflects the growing interest and confidence of global semiconductor companies in India’s potential as a major player in the semiconductor industry. The investment from Micron Technology is expected to contribute to the growth and expansion of India’s semiconductor ecosystem, facilitating semiconductor assembly and testing operations within the country.
The Indian government’s support in attracting such investments is a testament to its commitment to developing a conducive business environment for semiconductor companies. By fostering collaboration with global players like Micron Technology, India aims to enhance its capabilities in semiconductor manufacturing and technology development, thus promoting self-reliance and contributing to the global semiconductor supply chain.
The investment from Micron Technology will likely have positive implications for India’s economy, job creation, technological advancements, and overall growth in the semiconductor sector. It reflects the success of the government’s efforts in promoting India as an attractive destination for semiconductor investments and highlights the potential for further collaborations and partnerships in the future.
Overall, this announcement marks a significant milestone in India’s journey to becoming a global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing, and technology development. It showcases the country’s readiness to embrace opportunities in the semiconductor industry and its commitment to bolstering the domestic semiconductor ecosystem.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent state visit to the United States, India received further substantial investments and commitments from leading semiconductor companies. Applied Materials, a renowned semiconductor equipment supplier, pledged to invest USD 400 million in setting up a collaborative engineering centre in the country. This centre is expected to foster innovation, research, and development in the semiconductor sector in India.
In addition to Applied Materials’ investment, Lam Research, a major semiconductor manufacturing equipment provider, proposed a comprehensive initiative to contribute to India’s semiconductor education and workforce development goals. Through its Semiverse Solution virtual fabrication platform, Lam Research plans to train a staggering 60,000 Indian engineers. This ambitious training program aims to equip the Indian workforce with the necessary skills and expertise in semiconductor technology, thereby bolstering India’s position as a skilled talent pool in the global semiconductor industry.
These announcements represent a significant vote of confidence in India’s potential to become a prominent player in the semiconductor market. The investments and training initiatives from Applied Materials and Lam Research are expected to have transformative effects on India’s semiconductor ecosystem. They will enhance domestic research and development capabilities, technology adoption, and workforce readiness in the semiconductor sector.
For India, such partnerships with leading global semiconductor companies are a critical step towards achieving its goal of self-reliance and becoming a vital part of the global semiconductor supply chain. These initiatives also align with the Indian government’s broader vision to promote innovation, technology-driven growth, and a skilled workforce to support the country’s economic aspirations.
Overall, the commitments from Applied Materials and Lam Research will likely pave the way for significant advancements in India’s semiconductor industry. They reaffirm the international community’s confidence in India’s potential and provide further momentum for its journey to become a global semiconductor hub.
